Broadway and TV star Gavin Creel dies at 48 after battle with rare cancer

Gavin Creel, the celebrated TV and Broadway star, has tragically passed away at the age of 48 after a battle with a "rare and aggressive" cancer, his publicist Matt Polk confirmed. Creel was best known for his unforgettable performances on Broadway, most notably as Cornelius Hackl in the 2017 revival of Hello Dolly! alongside Bette Midler, a role that earned him a Tony Award.

The news of Creel's passing has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with Bette Midler taking to Instagram to pay tribute, calling Creel a "radiant actor" and expressing her disbelief at the loss. "What a loss," she wrote, reflecting the sentiment of many who admired his talent.

Creel's illustrious career also included a standout performance in the West End, where he received an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2014 for his role as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, a part he later reprised on Broadway. British star Hannah Waddingham expressed her devastation over Creel's death on social media, stating, "I keep re-reading his name thinking everyone's got it wrong. Not this man, not this beautiful, smiley, talented man. I’m heartbroken you've gone, Gavin."

Tributes poured in from fellow stars, including actor, producer, and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who remembered Creel as the first King George III during the early workshop stages of *Hamilton*. "He wrapped the audience around his finger with nothing but a Burger King crown and his mind-blowing charisma and talent," Miranda wrote. "It is unimaginable that he's no longer with us."

In addition to his notable stage work, Creel was an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. As a proud gay man, he was one of the founders of Broadway Impact, alongside Rory O'Malley and Jenny Kanelos. This LGBTQ+ activist group was instrumental in mobilizing the New York theater community in the pursuit of marriage equality. Creel also became a familiar face on the LGBT RFamilyVacations cruise with Rosie O'Donnell, further emphasizing his commitment to fostering community and support within the LGBTQ+ space.

Creel’s career began on Broadway, where he garnered attention with his role as Jimmy Smith in the revival of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002, which led to his first Tony nomination. Other iconic roles included Claude Hooper Bukowski in the 2009 revival of Hair and Dr. Pomatter in Sara Bareilles’ musical Waitress.

In addition to his stage work, Creel had notable television appearances, including a role in Ryan Murphy’s miniseries American Horror Stories and films alongside Dame Julie Andrews in Eloise At The Plaza and Eloise At Christmastime.

Born in Findlay, Ohio, Creel was a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Music. His publicist announced that a small private gathering for family will be held, with a celebration of his life planned for the theatre community at a later date.

As friends, family, and fans mourn the loss of an extraordinary talent, the legacy of Gavin Creel will undoubtedly live on through his remarkable contributions to the arts and his steadfast commitment to LGBTQ+ advocacy.