Here is all the information you require on Gavin Creel, who tragically died on Monday at the age of 48. Continue reading to learn more.
Renowned stage and film actor Gavin Creel tragically died on September 30, Monday, at the age of 48, after suffering metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, according to HuffPost.
He was diagnosed with the uncommon cancer indicated above in July. The news of his passing was confirmed by his companion Alex Temple Ward to The New York Times via theater publicist Matt Polk.
Born in Findlay, Ohio, Creel finished his undergraduate studies in 1998 at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater, and Dance. He made a debut on Broadway opposite Sutton Foster four years after graduation.
Together, they starred in Thoroughly Modern Millie, which earned him a Tony nomination for the first time. He then starred in Waitress, Into the Woods, She Loves Me, and Hair.
Creel’s performance in the London production of The Book of Mormon portraying Elder Price was widely appreciated, for which he also got an Oliver Award (the British equivalent of a Tony) in 2014. He then also went on to snag a Tony in 2017 for his outstanding performance on Hello, Dolly! which, according to the publication, also starred Bette Midler.
But Creel’s professional path extended beyond his stage appearances. He enlarged it by also venturing on-screen. He made appearances in the sequel, Eloise At The Christmastime, as well as Eloise At The Plaza. The actor appeared in the supporting role in American Horror Stories, a Hulu offshoot of American Horror Story.
In addition to his long career, he made significant contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. Along with producer Jenny Kanelos and actor Rory O’Malley, he founded Broadway Impact in 2009, a campaign that supported same-gender marriage.
According to the publication’s piece, Creel requested that the Hair producers postpone a show so that he and his co-stars could participate in the LGBTQ rights march in Washington, DC.
It is said that his final Broadway production was Into the Woods in 2022, and his final New York stage production was the semi-autobiographical musical Walk On Through: Confessions Of A Museum Novice, which he wrote.
Foster, who was once his co-cator, sent a tribute to him on Instagram with the caption, “My darling friend. I shall always love you.
In remembrance of the late actor, Midler also posted on her X handle, writing, “The brilliant actor #GavinCreel, beloved by the Broadway community, has passed away from a rare form of cancer.” In “Hello Dolly,” he portrayed Cornelius Hackl to my Dolly, and I eagerly anticipated working with him each night. He was outstanding. That he’s gone is unbelievable. What a tragedy.
For his tremendous stage presence and his significant contributions to the LGBT community, Creel will always be remembered.
