Lights out on Broadway as celebrities mourn sudden loss of Gavin Creel (48)

At the young age of 48, a star of Broadway and television passed away in the past week. Since then, several celebrities have made their voices heard to remember him.

The renowned actor died from a rare but lethal strain of cancer. He had been diagnosed with the illness just two months previous to his death, according to People magazine.

The illness Gavin Creel had to face was a rare type of metastatic sarcoma-like cancer that attacks bones and soft tissue in the body, Variety explains.

Despite receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, the cancer was so devastating that he was sent home to be with his partner, Alex Temple Ward, for his final days.

Alex Temple Ward announced the news of his partner's death on Monday, September 30.

The actor had been playing leading roles in New York for over 20 years and had many friends and acquaintances in the industry, both on and off stage.

It has become clear from the responses of celebrities to his death that the impact of the news has been tremendous. As Bette Midler said, for example: "I can't believe he's gone. What a loss."

Until early 2024, Gavin Creel performed in Off Broadway's 'Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice', a play that taught how to love and appreciate the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

In addition to this last work, the actor starred in 'Hair', 'She Loves Me', 'Hello, Dolly!', 'Into the Woods' and 'The Book of Mormon', where his tenor voice served to play Elder Price.

He was nominated for a Tony in 2002 for his portrayal of friendly salesman Jimmy Smith in 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'.

He was nominated again for his portrayal of Claude Hooper Bukowski in 'Hair' in 2009.

The third nomination would finally earn him the coveted Tony for Best Performance. He had played Cornelius Hackl in the celebrated revival of 'Hello, Dolly!' (2007), starring Bette Midler.

In fact, the actress was one of the first to say goodbye to her friend on Instagram. "He played Cornelius Hackl to my Dolly in 'Hello Dolly' and I looked forward to working with him every single night. He was fantastic. I can't believe he's gone. What a loss."

Photo: Bette Midler / Instagram

Bette Midler is right about the significance of his loss, as Gavin Creel was a committed defender of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.  He helped found the organization 'Broadway Impact' which supported gay marriage when it was still prohibited in the United States.

The day in September 2009 when he convinced the producers of 'Hair' to cancel the screening so that the entire crew could go to the gay rights march in Washington will always be remembered, as reported by The New York Times at the time.

To honor the late actor, Broadway’s Committee of Theater Owners has announced it will dim its lights at a specific moment to be agreed upon with Creel's family. "Venues involved will include Circle in the Square, Helen Hayes, Marquis, New Amsterdam, Samuel J. Friedman, Shubert, Stephen Sondheim, St James, Studio 54, Todd Haimes, and Vivian Beaumont theatres," Whatsonstage reports.

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