Broadway star Gavin Creel passes away at 48 after battling rare cancer

Broadway star and screen actor Gavin Creel tragically passed away on September 30 at the age of 48 after a battle with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare form of cancer. He had been diagnosed with the illness in July. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by Creel's partner, Alex Temple Ward, to The New York Times through theater publicist Matt Polk.

Creel, born in Findlay, Ohio, was a graduate of the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theater & Dance in 1998. Four years later, he made his Broadway debut opposite Sutton Foster in Thoroughly Modern Millie, a performance that earned him his first Tony Award nomination. He went on to star in several notable productions, including She Loves Me, Waitress, Into the Woods, and Hair. His portrayal of Elder Price in the London production of The Book of Mormon was widely acclaimed, earning him an Olivier Award in 2014. In 2017, Creel won a Tony Award for his outstanding performance in Hello, Dolly!, starring alongside Bette Midler.

Creel's talents were not limited to the stage. He expanded his career to the screen, appearing in films like Eloise at the Plaza and its sequel, Eloise at Christmastime. He also had a supporting role in Hulu’s American Horror Stories, further showcasing his versatility as an actor.

In addition to his impressive career, Creel was a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. In 2009, he co-founded Broadway Impact, an organization promoting marriage equality, with actor Rory O'Malley and producer Jenny Kanelos.

Creel's final Broadway performance was in Into the Woods in 2022, while his last stage appearance in New York was in Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, a semi-autobiographical musical he wrote.

Tributes from his colleagues and friends poured in after news of his passing. Sutton Foster shared an emotional post on Instagram, saying, “My sweet friend. I will love you forever.” Bette Midler also expressed her sorrow on social media, writing, “Beloved by the #Broadway community...I can’t believe he’s gone. What a loss.”

Gavin Creel leaves behind an enduring legacy of remarkable performances and heartfelt contributions to the arts and LGBTQ+ activism. 

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