Gavin Creel, the celebrated American stage and television actor, has passed away at the age of 48 due to a rare and aggressive form of cancer known as soft tissue sarcoma. Creel was diagnosed in July and died peacefully at his home in Manhattan, as confirmed by his publicist, Matt Polk.
Creel’s remarkable career spanned several iconic roles in musical theatre. He garnered a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his unforgettable portrayal of Cornelius Hackl opposite Bette Midler’s Dolly Levi in the critically acclaimed 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!. Midler expressed her sorrow on Instagram, stating she “looked forward to working with him every single night.”
His rise to fame began in 2002 when he starred as Jimmy Smith alongside Sutton Foster in the Broadway revival of Thoroughly Modern Millie, earning his first Tony nomination. Seven years later, he received another nomination for his powerful performance as Claude Hooper Bukowski in the revival of Hair.
Creel made a significant impact on the West End as well, debuting as Bert in Disney’s Mary Poppins in 2006 and later reprising his role in the West End transfer of Hair in 2010. He won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2014 for his performance as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, a role he continued to portray on Broadway.
Contributions to Television and Film
In addition to his stage successes, Creel ventured into television and film, notably starring in Ryan Murphy’s miniseries American Horror Stories alongside Matt Bomer in 2021. He also featured in the beloved family films Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime.
Creel’s recent work included playing Dr. Pomatter in Sara Bareilles’s musical Waitress on Broadway in 2019 and the West End in 2020. His versatility and charisma made him a cherished figure in the entertainment industry.
Tributes from Friends and Colleagues
The theatre community mourns the loss of this beloved performer. Dear Evan Hansen star Ben Platt hailed Creel as his “first role model, idol, and hero.” British actress Hannah Waddingham expressed her shock on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Not this man, not this beautiful, smiley, talented man.” Stars from the Frozen franchise, including Idina Menzel and Josh Gad, also shared heartfelt tributes on social media.
Celebration of Life
In honor of his contributions and the joy he brought to many, a private gathering for family will be held, along with a community celebration of Creel’s life at a date to be announced, according to his publicist.
Gavin Creel’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through his unforgettable performances and the countless lives he touched during his illustrious career.
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