Tony-Winning Broadway Star Gavin Creel Passes Away at 48: Celebrated Roles in 'Waitress' and 'Into the Woods'

Tony-Winning Broadway Star Gavin Creel

Tony-Winning Broadway Star Gavin Creel Dies at 48 After Cancer Battle

In heartbreaking news, Gavin Creel, a beloved figure in Broadway, passed away today in Manhattan at the age of 48, just two months after being diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma. His partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed the news. Creel had been receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering and transitioned to hospice care at home.

Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002 in Thoroughly Modern Millie, earning a Tony nomination for his role. He gained further acclaim as Claude in the 2009 revival of Hair, and his performance as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon solidified his status as a leading man, a role he also reprised in the West End.

In 2017, he won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Cornelius in Hello, Dolly! alongside Bette Midler. Creel’s impressive resume also includes roles in La Cage aux Folles, Waitress, and Into the Woods. Beyond the stage, he appeared in TV shows like American Horror Story and Central Park.

Born on April 18, 1976, in Findlay, Ohio, Creel showed musical talent early on. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1998 and quickly rose to fame on Broadway. Throughout his career, he was also an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, co-founding the non-profit Broadway Impact.

Creel's artistic contributions extended to music and album production, with works reflecting his passion for storytelling. His latest project, Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, premiered Off-Broadway in November 2023.

He is survived by his partner, family, and many friends in the theater community. A private funeral service will be held, with plans for a public memorial in the future. The family requests that donations in Creel’s memory be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

Tony-Winning Broadway Star Gavin Creel Passes Away at 48: Celebrated Roles in 'Waitress' and 'Into the Woods'