Photo: Walter McBride/Getty Images
Broadway and Hollywood are mourning the sudden loss of Tony Award winner Gavin Creel. A beloved theatrical mainstay known for his roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Book of Mormon, Creel died Monday at the age of 48, according to Playbill. Creel lost his battle with a rare form of cancer called metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, which he’d been diagnosed with in July. His partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed the news.
Creel’s passing sent shockwaves through the Broadway community, as those who worked alongside him posted heartbroken tributes to their late friend. Per Playbill, Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002, originating the role of Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie alongside Sutton Foster. The performance earned him his first Tony nod for Best Actor in a Musical, and he has steadily collected acclaim ever since. He went on to star in Hair, Waitress, and Hello, Dolly!, for which he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor. He has also appeared in FX’s American Horror Stories and other television projects.
Below, we’ve rounded up some of the celebrities and Broadway fixtures honoring the life, talent, and vivacity of Gavin Creel.
Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lea Michele
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“Rest now @realgavincreel,” Michele wrote on her Instagram Story. “Sending my love and prayers to his family and all those who were lucky enough to know his light.”
Josh Gad
Bette Midler
Beloved by the #Broadway community, the radiant actor #GavinCreel has died from a rare form of cancer. He played Cornelius Hackl to my Dolly in “Hello Dolly” and I looked forward to working with him every single night. He was fantastic. I can’t believe he’s gone. What a loss.
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) September 30, 2024
Idina Menzel
Sutton Foster
Rachel Zegler
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The Romeo + Juliet actress shared Creel’s “Molly’s Song,” writing, “In case you have never heard it, or don’t know what to do with the grief, I feel like this is a good way to remember one of the sweetest men.”
Cynthia Erivo
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“What a terribly sad loss,” the Wicked actress wrote on her story. “Rest in peace Gavin.”
Benj Pasek
Ben Platt
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Nicola Coughlan
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The Bridgerton actress shared “I Turned the Corner / I’m Falling in Love With Someone,” which Creel sang with Foster in Thoroughly Modern Millie. “RIP GAVIN CREEL,” she wrote.
Aaron Tveit
Orfeh
Casey Likes
Gavin Creel pic.twitter.com/76u45IFn3I
— Casey Likes (@justcaseylikes) September 30, 2024
I thanked gavin creel for basically saving my life and inspiring me to continue performing and this was his response pic.twitter.com/mS8IbqOw5g
— Casey Likes (@justcaseylikes) September 30, 2024
Kerry Butler
Matthew López
Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares
The Tony Awards
Today, we mourn the devastating loss of Tony Award winner Gavin Creel, whose extraordinary talent, kindness, and passion lit up the stage and our hearts. 🤍 pic.twitter.com/s3YjJkglN0
— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) September 30, 2024
Evan Ross Katz
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