Trevor A. Toussaint, known for his role as Walter Deveraux on the British soap opera “Hollyoaks,” has died at age 65, Parade reports.
His death was confirmed on Saturday in an Instagram post by Kéllé Bryan, who served as his agent for 20 years and played his on-screen daughter, Martine Deveraux.
“Gone, but has left such an imprint on my heart,” Bryan wrote.
Bryan praised Toussaint as a trailblazer who challenged industry norms throughout his career. She noted he was part of the show’s first Black family and began acting in the 1970s when roles for Black actors were often limited to stereotypes.
“Trevor started acting in the 70’s a time when black actors were predominantly cast as criminals,” Bryan wrote. “He wore his waist-length dreds with pride for over 10 years fighting against every stereotype.”
Bryan said Toussaint once turned down a lucrative role because he was asked to cut his hair. “He broke many boundaries and made a pathway for others,” she said.
Several of Toussaint’s co-stars also paid tribute to him in the comments.
Richard Blackwood, who played Toussaint’s on-screen son-in-law, recalled his first scene with the actor.
“My very first scene was with T and he made me bring my A game!” Blackwood wrote. “You will be missed big bro.”
Nikki Sanderson, who plays Maxine Minniver, described him as “a lovely man who took time to talk with everyone he met, he was a gentleman.”
Rachel Adedeji, who portrayed his on-screen granddaughter, called the news “heartbreaking.”
Toussaint appeared in 151 episodes of “Hollyoaks” from 2018 until 2022, when his character left to move to Jamaica, according to Parade.