Theatergoers were left horrified this past weekend when a Canadian actor dropped dead while delivering his performance.

According to CBS News, the tragedy took place at the Citadel Theater in Edmonton, Alberta last Saturday at around 8:28 p.m.

Arnold's cause of death has yet to be revealed

Sixty-year-old Julien Arnold collapsed as he was portraying the characters of Bob Marley and Mr. Fezziwig in a production of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol."

Arnold passed away at the theater despite efforts by emergency services personnel to resuscitate him. The actor's cause of death has yet to be revealed.

His death was addressed in a social media post put up by the Citadel Theater which described him as a "cherished member of the Edmonton theatre community."

"Julien's passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, fellow Carol company members, Citadel staff, and the Edmonton community he loved so dearly," the theater said.

"His presence brought joy, heart and depth to every role, and his artistic contributions - and big hugs - will be deeply missed," the statement continued.

Actor had a three-decade career which focused on comedic roles

The theater went on to explain that "this season's run of 'A Christmas Carol'" will be dedicated to the late performer's memory.

It also recalled Arnold's acting previous credits, which included playing The Cowardly Lion in "The Wizard of Oz" as well as Cogsworth in Disney's "Beauty and the Beast."

A profile of Arnold published by the Canadian Theater Encyclopedia described him as an "actor, director, and teacher, who appeared in most of the theatres in the city, typically in comic roles for thirty years."

"With his English parents and grandparents, Julien Arnold lived in Tanzania until he was five in 1969," it explained, adding, "He grew up in Edmonton, and studied at Georges P. Vanier Secondary School and the University of Alberta, graduating with a BFA in 1989."

Arnold remembered as "one of our finest" theater performers

Other tributes to Arnold quickly appeared on social media, including once from Canadian theater writer and critic Liz Nicholls.

'A wonder of an actor': with the passing of Julien Arnold, we've lost one of our finest, and most loved, theatre artists. A little 12thnight tribute: https://t.co/hTs3SHDSDC #YEGtheatre @citadeltheatre @TeatroLive @Theatre_Network #YEGarts #YEG pic.twitter.com/8S6uWqGAc8

— Liz Nicholls (@lizonstage) November 26, 2024

Nicholls hailed him as "a wonder of an actor" and declared that "with the passing of Julien Arnold, we've lost one of our finest, and most loved, theater artists."