Neil Hope
Philip Neil Hope[2] (September 24, 1972 – November 25, 2007), known as Neil Hope, was a Canadian actor best known for playing Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High from 1987 to 1991.[1] He had earlier played "Griff" in The Kids of Degrassi Street[3] from 1985 to 1986.
Neil Hope | |
---|---|
Born | Philip Neil Hope September 24, 1972 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Died | November 25, 2007 35) Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | (aged
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1985–2003 |
Partner(s) | Christina Boulard (1998–2001)[1] |
Acting career
Hope's last television appearance was in a 2003 Degrassi: The Next Generation episode in which he reunited and reconciled with fellow members of the fictional band, "Zit Remedy".[4] Hope moved around Ontario, living in Windsor and then in Hamilton.
Health
Hope was the child of alcoholics and struggled with the problem himself.[1] He discussed his parents' alcoholism in a 1992 series called Degrassi Talks[5], and also made a documentary about children of alcoholic parents, called The Darker Side.[6]
Hope suffered from type 1 diabetes, the effects of which were aggravated by alcoholism and his failure to keep up with insulin injections to manage the disease.
Death
Hope died from a heart attack in a Hamilton rooming house on November 25, 2007.[2] His death wasn't announced until 2012.[7][1] He was buried at Woodland Cemetery located in Hamilton, Ontario.[5]
References
- "Neil Hope Obituary". Associated Press. 2012. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- Daubs, Katie (February 28, 2012). "Degrassi's Wheels: The lost years of Neil Hope". Toronto Star. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- Paul Vitello (2012-02-27). "Neil Hope Is Dead at 35; Teenage Actor Whose Life Unraveled". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-03-02.
- "Mystery surrounds 'Degrassi' actor's death, 5 years ago". CTV News. February 16, 2012. Retrieved February 17, 2012.
- "Philip Neil "Wheels" Hope". Find a Grave. findagrave.com. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- McGinn, Dave (February 16, 2012). "Degrassi family mourns 'Wheels' actor Neil Hope". Globe and Mail;. Retrieved February 19, 2012.CS1 maint: extra punctuation (link)
- Pagliaro, Jennifer (February 16, 2012). "Degrassi star Neil Hope died in 2007, family only learned news last month". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 17, 2012.