Stars we lost in 2021: Willie Garson - Stanford from 'Sex & the City'

September 21 saw a shocking event in the world of television: Willie Garson, well-known for his role as Stanford Blatch in 'Sex & the City', unexpectedly passed away at the age of 57.

TMZ reported that the cause of death was cancer, although further details were not known. Variety and People spoke of a short illness and said that he had died surrounded by his family.

Through six seasons (27 episodes) and the series' movie sequels, Willie Garson often stole the limelight from Carrie Bradshaw herself.

Each appearance of his character, a sales agent with a sense of fashion comparable to that of Miss Bradshaw herself, was celebrated and applauded by the fans.

As a gay character, Stanford Blatch celebrated an opulent gay wedding to his former rival Anthony Marantino (Mario Cantone, photo) in the second 'Sex & the City' movie. Over the course of the series, he and Cantone made the cause of gay men more visible.

The actor also appeared in the two films that were shot after the series, making it clear that he was an important part of the success of the franchise.

In fact, Willie Garson had already shot several scenes with Sarah Jessica Parker, this summer in New York, for the spinoff of the saga, 'And Just Like That...'

When these photos were taken in July 2021, the actor was already sick, but he insisted on working on the HBO spin-off, NPR reports.

Willie Garson also had a successful role in the series 'White Collar', alongside Matt Bomer.

In the USA Network drama series, the actor played Mozzie, the best friend of Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer). Together they committed the most elegant robberies of 21st-century television.

Beyond these two series, Willie Garson was a hard worker in the industry. As a teenager, he enrolled in the Actors Institute in New York. He would perform on more than 170 occasions in film and television.

Among this high number of roles were Willie Garson's performances in well-known series like 'CSI: Miami', 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer', 'The Wizards of Waverly Place', 'Pushing Daisies' and 'The X-Files' (in the photo).

Over the years, Willie Garson made many friends in the industry. The connection he had with the 'White Collar' team was especially close. They are among the friends who now mourned his loss on social media.

Matt Bomer was his best friend in 'White Collar'. The two actors maintained contact and a close relationship, as Bomer explained in his farewell, accompanied by several photos of the two of them together.

"I do not understand. And it's not fair," he wrote about Willie Garson's death on Instagram.

The actor who played Peter Burke in 'White Collar' adored Willie Garson in real life. "You know I love you and always will."

Another colleague and friend from 'White Collar,' Titus Welliver, sent the late Willie Garson a message from Twitter. "There are no words. I love you, dear brother. We are fewer."

"Gutted by this news," actor and 'Hawaï Five-O' co-star Daniel Dae Kim tweeted. "Willie Garson was a talented actor and such a loving, devoted father. Rest in Peace, my friend. And peace, love and blessings to you, dear Nathan [sic]."

Cynthia Nixon, who played Miranda Hobbes in 'Sex & the City," spoke to the late actor on Twitter: "So deeply, deeply sad we have lost Willie Garson," she wrote. "We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and and in real life. He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional - always."

"I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner," Mario Cantone (Stanford's on-screen partner in the 'Sex & the City movies) tweeted. "I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods. Rest my sweet friend. I love you."

The kindness and comedic talents of Willie Garson made him many friends in the acting world. Ben Stiller wrote a tweet emphasizing that the late actor was "strong and respected in his community of fellow actors... He was also really funny."

'Seinfeld' star Jason Alexander remembered Garson in a tweet as "a dear, funny, kind man and delightful actor," adding that his death was "too soon."

Actor Rob Morrow said goodbye to his friend on Instagram. "Our sweet pal Willie Garson has passed on. Dear soul, rest easy."

The star from 'Modern Family' took out to Instagram to commemorate Willie Garson, who was a great friend of hers. "This breaks my heart," she said about the news of his passing.

"Willie Garson, a friend who loved me at my worst, (and always let me know it) is gone. Goodbye, Fatty. I love you always."

Now, the hardest and most complicated farewell was that of Nathen Garson, the son of Willie Garson. He, too, wrote a goodbye to his father on Instagram.

Nathan Garson shared several photos and a video, as well as a moving text. "I love you so much papa. Rest in Peace and I'm so glad to got to share all your adventures with me and were able to accomplish so much. I'm so proud of you. I will always love you, but I think it's time for you to go on an adventure on your own..."

The actor, a strong advocate of adoption, had adopted Nathen in 2009. NPR reported that Garson remembered the day of the adoption in January on Instagram. He posted the words: "Best day of my life. Always."

Willie Garson was very involved in social activism and all kinds of solidarity events, which he promoted on his social media accounts.

A great actor left this world but, as his friends made clear, a very great person departed as well. According to an HBO spokesperson, "Willie Garson was in life, as on screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe."