Tony Award-winning actor Gavin Creel, celebrated for his performances in renowned Broadway productions like Hello, Dolly!, Waitress, and The Book of Mormon, has sadly passed away at the age of 48. According to his representative, Matt Polk, Creel died at his Manhattan home on Monday. His death was confirmed by his partner, Alex Temple Ward.
An official statement provided by Polk highlighted Creel’s contributions to theater, noting, “As an award-winning Broadway star, he brought irrepressible verve, passion, and boundless energy to his onstage roles while devoting his offstage time to advocacy and community-building.” Creel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma in July 2024 and had been receiving treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering before his death.
Born in Findlay, Ohio, Creel made his mark on Broadway in 2002 when he debuted as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie. His performance earned him his first Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. Over the years, Creel became a fixture on both Broadway and London’s West End, captivating audiences with his dynamic performances in both comedic and dramatic roles.
In 2009, Creel garnered his second Tony nomination for his role as Claude Hooper Bukowski in the Broadway revival of Hair. His success continued in 2014 when he won the Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon. In 2017, Creel finally won a Tony Award for his role as Cornelius Hackl in the Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, sharing the stage with legendary performers Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce.
During his Tony acceptance speech, Creel took a moment to thank the musical theater department at the University of Michigan, where he had studied. “My education as a young person there changed my life forever,” he said, acknowledging the impact the institution had on his career and personal growth.
News of Creel’s passing sent shockwaves through the theater community. Ted Lasso actress and stage veteran Hannah Waddingham expressed her grief in an Instagram post on Monday, writing, “My heart is achingly heavy for you tonight, my friend. I’m so sad that you were taken so soon. I will never forget you as long as I breathe.”
In addition to his work in Hello, Dolly!, Creel was also well-known for playing Dr. Pomatter in Sara Bareilles’ musical Waitress. He first took on the role during the 2019 Broadway production and later reprised it in London’s West End in 2020. His obituary fondly referred to Bareilles as his “friend and kindred artistic spirit.”
Creel’s collaboration with Bareilles continued in 2022 when the two appeared together in a Broadway production of Into the Woods, by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine. His obituary emphasized the warmth and kindness Creel brought to those around him, stating, “Gavin lived his life with joy, integrity, humor, wit, and grace. His sparkling presence and generous nature will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.”
Gavin Creel is survived by his parents, Nancy Clemens Creel and James William Creel, his sisters, his partner Alex Temple Ward, and his beloved dog, Nina.
