Gavin Creel – an award-winning actor known for his roles on stage and screen – has tragically passed away at the age of 48.
The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Creel’s partner, Alex Temple Ward, in an announcement via publicist Matt Polk, per the New York Times.
Creel’s death comes just two months after a devastating and rare cancer diagnosis in July.
At this time, his cause of death has been reported as metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma.
Creel – born in Findlay, Ohio – had been wowing audiences on Broadway for two decades, earning his first Tony Award nomination for his role as Jimmy Smith in 2002’s Thoroughly Modern Millie.
He would receive another Tony Award nomination in 2009 for his role in Hair, before finally winning his first and only Tony in 2017 for costarring as Cornelius Hackl opposite Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
Discussing his win with The San Francisco Chronicle, Creel said: “The Tony really felt like a hug from the community I’ve been in for 20 years. That feels good. I can literally do nothing else in my life and I’m still a Tony winner. I will never not have done that.”
Over in the UK, Creel made his West End debut as Bert in Merry Poppins, before winning an Olivier Award for his originating role as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon.
Off the board and on the small screen, viewers will fondly remember Creel for his role as Troy in American Horror Stories.
Over on X, fans have been paying tribute to Creel, with one person writing: “Goodbye to the charming and wonderful Gavin Creel. ”
Another added: “Gavin Creel was one of the kindest people I ever had the fortune to meet. He went out of his way to make me feel special and seen every time we talked. He will be missed by so many.”
“Gavin Creel was one of the kindest, most brilliant, most talented, most beautiful souls on earth. This is too much,” another added.
And a fourth wrote: “I am shocked and devastated by the death of Gavin Creel. What an incredible talent. What a loss. One of the highlights of my experience in a musical audience was seeing him perform in Into the Woods last year in SF. He made every role iconic in new ways. Rest in Peace, prince.”
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Others simply hailed Creel as a “legend” in theater who had rightfully earned to be labeled as such thanks to his performances on the stage.
“Gavin Creel was an absolute master. The way he could stand still and demand the entire room. The vocals. He will forever be a legend in the work we do,” one X user shared.
Away from acting, Creel was an outspoken advocate for gay rights, helping to found the Broadway Impact organization, which supported same-sex marriage when it was still prohibited across much of the US.
Our thoughts go out to Creel’s family, friends, and fans at this time.