Tony-winning actor Gavin Creel has died at age 48

Tony winner Gavin Creel, known for acting A thoroughly modern Milli, the hair, The Book of Mormon and many others, died on September 30 after a battle with cancer. He is 48 years old. Her partner Alex Temple Ward confirmed the news.

Mr. Creel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma in July 2024 and was treated at Memorial Sloan Kettering before being transferred to home hospice care.

Mr. Creel was a fixture in the theater community, noted for his versatility in a career that often saw him alternate between comedy and drama, leading man and character actor. But performing was only one aspect of Mr. Creel's life. Blessed with a virtuoso voice in every sense of that word, Mr. Creel used his gifts as an accomplished writer to become a dedicated activist for the theater community.

Born April 18, 1976 to parents Nancy (Clemens) Creel and James William Creel, Mr. Creel grew up in Findlay, Ohio. In addition to frequent singing with his piano-playing music teacher grandmother, Mr. Creel discovered his love of Broadway from Nancy Glick, an elementary school teacher, who gave him his first solo. music manof “Gary, Indiana.” She graduated from Michigan's School of Music, Theater and Dance in 1998 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater.

After a stint working in regional theater and performing on national tours fameMr. Creel made his Broadway debut as Jimmy Smith A thoroughly modern Milli The musical opened on his 26th birthday in 2002. His performance earned him his first Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.

Mr. Creel would go on to star in a multitude of Broadway shows following his breakthrough performance, including the hairfor which he received his second Tony nomination; La Cage aux Folles; he loves me; The Book of Mormon; Waiterss; And Hello, Dolly!The latter won him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor. Mr Creel also starred in West End runs Book of Mormon, Mary PoppinsAnd the hostess. For his performance as Elder Price in the original West End production MormonMr. Creel won the Olivier Award for Best Actor.

His most recent stage role was as The Prince and the Wolf in the 2022 revival of Cinderella. in the woodFirst in New York City Center Encores! and later the production's Broadway transfer and North American national tour.

On screen, Mr. Creel appeared in films Eloise at the Plaza And Eloise at ChristmastimeFilmed version of he loves meand spin-offs of FX American Horror StoryAmong other film and television credits.

But Mr. Creel was a versatile artist—a talented actor as well as an accomplished songwriter. During his career, he released two full-length albums, good time And get out; and EP, calm downwhich peaked at number 44 on Billboard's Top Hitseekers list; and two singles, “Noise (Equality Now)” and “Whitney Houston.” She was a dedicated activist, co-founding Broadway Impact in 2009 with Rory O'Malley and Jenny Canelos during the fight for marriage equality. Mr. Creel donated all proceeds from its sale the noise To support the group. She also established a scholarship fund with best friend and fellow Michigan alum Celia Keenan-Bolger that aims to support students involved in social justice causes while in school.

It was his final stage performance Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice. Mr. Creel was commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art to create a musical inspired by the institution. A Book of Creel, with Music and Lyrics, Walk on through Developed at the 2022 National Music Theater Conference at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center before making its Off-Broadway world premiere at the MCC Theater in 2023. Along with many original songs, Mr. Creel gave the audience a look into his own existential crisis, how he got to where he was at the time, and what kept him going.

When discussing Mr Walk on through With Playbill at the time, he explained that the show portrayed how the idea that we're all alone is actually the thing that universally connects us all. “The one thing that binds us all together is what separates us all,” he said. “Even if one twin pops out alone before the other twins. Even if we're both in a car that's off a cliff, one of us will hit first and get out first. If you can accept that you're alone in this world, then you can Can take that you're not.” In the interview, Creel pointed to the tattoo on his wrist, the words “Both” written in simple typeface, “Both things can be true at the same time,” adding that I see only darkness and shadows;

Mr. Creel is survived by partner Ward, mother Nancy Clemens Creel, father James William Creel, sisters Heather Creel and Alison Creel, sister-in-law Jennifer Kolb and dog Nina. Mr. Creel's family requests donations be made in his memory to Broadway Care.

Plans for a community celebration of life are forthcoming.

“Today we lost not just a good one, but the best,” read a statement from Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares. “Beyond the brilliant talent Gavin Creel shared with all of us on stage, he mastered the ability to organize, organize and inspire others by sharing the best of himself in what was, simply, his loving, joyful heart.

“Gavin once said: 'What I love about being in the theater is the sense of family and belonging to a community that cares for each other. We become better by giving back.'

“Gavin certainly lived by example. His selfless determination to turn his talents and gifts into reality, life-saving help challenged us to be better, to do more and to rise, always with a smile that was welcoming, flirty and a little mysterious with some. It was kind of a surprise.

“Gavin has been one of the liveliest voices at our National Grants Program Committee meetings and on our Board of Trustees, which he has served on since 2015. He was an undeniable light that shed a heartwarming light on our theater community and the lives of countless people he met. didn't, who received food, medicine, support and hope through her work with Broadway Cares.

“I remember seeing Gavin jump into the lobby bar of the theater with a red bucket in his hand during the national tour. The Book of MormonEncouraging, encouraging and persuading the audience to donate enthusiastically. He urged people to donate with such cheerful passion. He will enlist anyone he tells to do more, to have a greater impact – always going back to the question, 'Why? will not We help people?'

“Last spring, Gavin hosted Broadway Cares' donor celebration Hats off to you. Before jumping into a performance of 'Trouble' music manHe stepped back and reflected on his connection to Broadway Cares.

“'The world is broken right now, and it feels like it's falling apart to me,' he said. 'Broadway Cares is something I see as a light on the horizon.' As we will forever look up to him now.

“A Easter Bonnet Competition In April 2015, Gavin—then acting The Book of Mormon On Broadway—sing our anthem, “Help is on the Way,” in a way never heard before or since. Her voice was a gentle, bright beacon of activism that gave hope to many. The song of his heart will forever be a part of our lives, especially when it reminds us to overcome ourselves with hope and love.”

0
of