Chris Gauthier Biography: Wife, Age, Death, Net Worth, Height, Kids, Once Upon a Time, Eureka

Chris Gauthier, was an English-born Canadian actor whose warm, versatile presence lit up screens for over two decades in genre favorites like sci-fi, fantasy, and horror.

Best remembered for his recurring role as the affable café owner Vincent on Syfy’s Eureka and as the loyal pirate William Smee on ABC’s Once Upon a Time, he brought heart and humor to supporting turns in hits such as Freddy vs. Jason and Watchmen.

With a knack for making everyday characters feel essential, Gauthier’s body of work—spanning more than 80 credits—left a quiet but indelible mark on television and film, earning him Leo Awards and admiration from fans who cherished his understated charm.

Profile

• Full Name: Chris Gauthier
• Stage Name: Chris Gauthier
• Born: 27 January 1976
• Died: 23 February 2024
• Age: 48 years old
• Birthplace: Luton, Bedfordshire, England, UK
• Nationality: Canadian
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 1.69m
• Parents: Unknown
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Erin Gauthier
• Children: Sebastian Gauthier and Ben Gauthier
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $400,000

Early Life and Education

Chris Gauthier was born on January 27, 1976, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, to parents whose names are not publicly known.

He might have had siblings but details about them are unknown.

At age five, his family relocated to Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada, where he grew up immersed in a small-town setting that fueled his early interest in performance.

He trained formally at the Vernon School of Speech and Drama, honing skills in acting and voice that would define his career.

His ethnicity is English, and his religion is unknown.

Career

Chris Gauthier kicked off his acting journey in the late 1990s amid Vancouver’s thriving TV scene, starting with guest spots on Canadian shows like Cold Squad and Dark Angel that showcased his boyish energy and quick wit.

Drawing from his theater training at Vernon, he landed early film roles, including a memorable turn as the geeky Matt in the 2002 rom-com 40 Days and 40 Nights, which put him on Hollywood’s radar.

His genre breakthrough arrived with Freddy vs. Jason in 2003, where he played the hapless Shack— a role that blended terror with reluctant humor and earned him notice among horror enthusiasts.

These initial steps built a foundation in supporting parts, allowing him to balance quick-hit TV gigs with occasional writing, like his short film contributions, while establishing himself as a reliable Vancouver-based talent.

Gauthier’s career gained serious traction in the mid-2000s with a string of acclaimed genre projects that highlighted his range from quirky sidekicks to layered antagonists.

He voiced the sly racer Neville in the 2006 video game Need for Speed: Carbon, a role that tapped into his vocal flair, while snagging Leo Awards for dramatic turns in the miniseries Earthsea (2004) and the kids’ sci-fi Zixx: Level Two (2005).

The real pivot came with Eureka in 2006, where his portrayal of Vincent—the eccentric, ever-helpful café owner—spanned 40-plus episodes through 2012, blending comedy and heart in a way that made him a fan favorite and opened doors to bigger ensembles.

He juggled that with arcs on Smallville as the inventive Toyman and Harper’s Island as the doomed Malcolm Ross in 2009, plus a chilling cameo in Watchmen as the hitchhiking victim, all while earning another Leo for Sanctuary in 2010 and solidifying his spot in sci-fi lore.

Chris Gauthier rounded out his legacy with heartfelt fantasy work, including 14 episodes as the devoted Smee on Once Upon a Time from 2012 to 2018, where his wide-eyed loyalty added warmth to the show’s magical chaos.

He recurred as the bumbling Phil on Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events in 2019, bringing levity to gothic mishaps, and voiced characters on Stargate Atlantis and Supernatural for subtle depth.

Later highlights included the family musical Honey Girls in 2021 and holiday TV movies like Ms. Christmas Comes to Town, plus a fresh role as Deputy McLanahan on Joe Pickett in 2023.

Through it all, his influence lingers in the cozy reliability he infused into every scene, mentoring young actors in Vancouver and championing genre storytelling that celebrates the underdog.

Social Media

Chris Gauthier does not have any active social media accounts.

Personal Life

Chris Gauthier was married to his wife Erin in 2003.

Together, they had two sons named Sebastian and Ben.

The family lived in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Chris Gauthier died suddenly and unexpectedly on February 23, 2024, at the age of 48 years after a brief illness.

Filmography

• 40 Days and 40 Nights (2002)
• Freddy vs. Jason (2003)
• Watchmen (2009)
• Harper’s Island (2009)
• A Series of Unfortunate Events (2019)
• Honey Girls (2021)

Net Worth

Chris Gauthier had an estimated net worth of $400 thousand at the time of his death.

His earnings derived chiefly from television residuals on long-running series like Eureka and Once Upon a Time, bolstered by film paydays from Freddy vs. Jason and Watchmen, along with voiceover gigs and select holiday specials.