Broadway and TV star Gavin Creel has tragically passed away at the age of 48 after battling a rare and aggressive form of cancer, his publicist Matt Polk confirmed.
Creel was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, known for his incredible talent on stage and screen. He won a Tony award in 2017 for his role in Hello Dolly! opposite Bette Midler, where he played Cornelius Hackl. Midler herself paid tribute to Creel on Instagram, describing him as a “radiant actor” and expressing her disbelief at his passing.
Creel’s talent was recognized not only on Broadway but also in the West End, where he won an Olivier award for his performance in The Book Of Mormon. His colleagues and friends, including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Idina Menzel, and Josh Gad, have all shared heartfelt tributes to the late star.
In addition to his work on stage, Creel also had a successful TV career, appearing in shows like American Horror Stories and TV movies alongside Dame Julie Andrews. He was also a co-founder of Broadway Impact, a group dedicated to supporting marriage equality within the theatre community.
Creel’s passing has left a void in the hearts of many, but his legacy as a talented performer and advocate for equality will live on. A private gathering for his family will be held, with a larger celebration of his life planned for the theatre community at a later date.
