Out award-winning Broadway and West End performer/writer Gavin Creel died Sept. 30, according to BroadwayWorld. He was 48 years old.
Creel was diagnosed with cancer in July and underwent treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering for a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma.
He received a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly!, starring Bette Midler. Creel also received an Olivier Award for his portrayal of Elder Price in the London production of The Book of Mormon; he also appeared on the West End in Mary Poppins, Hair and Waitress.
Creel debuted on Broadway in 2002, originating the role of Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie (opposite Sutton Foster), for which he received his first Tony nomination, Creel went on to star in the Broadway productions of Hair (Tony Award nomination), La Cage Aux Folles, She Loves Me, The Book of Mormon and Waitress.
According to Vulture, In 2023, Creel performed an autobiographical show, Walk on Through, about falling in love with the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Creel’s partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed his passing. The family requests that gifts in Gavin’s memory be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. There will be a small private gathering for the family and a celebration of life will be held for the community at a date to be announced.