Gavin Creel, the US stage musical and television actor recognised for his performances in Hair, Hello, Dolly!, and American Horror Stories, has passed away at the age of 48 due to a rare and aggressive type of cancer.
Creel, diagnosed with sarcoma in July, passed away at his residence in Manhattan, New York, according to his publicist, Matt Polk.
According to the NHS website, soft tissue sarcoma is a rare oncological entity that originates in soft tissues like muscle and adipose tissue.
Creel received a Tony Award for best featured actor in a musical for his role as Cornelius Hackl alongside Bette Midler’s Dolly Levi in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!
On Instagram, Midler expressed that she anticipated collaborating with him each evening.
His career experienced significant growth following his performance as Jimmy Smith, alongside fellow newcomer Sutton Foster, in the 2002 Broadway revival of Thoroughly Modern Millie, which earned him his initial Tony nomination for best leading actor in a musical.
Foster stated in an Instagram post, “My sweet friend.” I will maintain an enduring affection for you.
Seven years later, he received his second Tony nomination for best leading actor in a musical, portraying Claude Hooper Bukowski in the revival of Hair.
He commenced his West End career in 2006, portraying Bert in Disney and Sir Cameron Mackintosh’s Mary Poppins, and subsequently repeated his performance in the West End transfer of Hair in 2010.
Creel secured the Olivier Award for best actor in a musical in 2014 for his portrayal of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, a role he subsequently performed on Broadway.
He expanded his portfolio by entering the television and film industry, featuring in Ryan Murphy’s miniseries American Horror Stories alongside Matt Bomer in 2021 and sharing the screen with Dame Julie Andrews in Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime.
Additional significant positions encompass Dr. Pomatter in Sara Bareilles’s musical Waitress on Broadway in 2019 and subsequently on the West End in the following year.
Included in the tributes was Ben Platt, the star of Dear Evan Hansen, who characterised Creel as his “first role model, idol, and hero.”.
Hannah Waddingham expressed profound shock on X regarding his death, stating, “Not this man, not this beautiful, smiley, talented man.”.
Idina Menzel and Josh Gad, associated with Frozen, also expressed their tribute on social media.
A private gathering for the family is planned, with a community celebration of his life scheduled at a later date, according to Mr. Polk.