TV and Broadway star Gavin Creel dies aged 48

Gavin Creel, a beloved star of both television and Broadway, has tragically passed away at the young age of 48. His publicist, Matt Polk, announced that he succumbed to a rare and aggressive form of cancer. Gavin was particularly renowned for his outstanding performances in various stage productions, most notably in the classic musical Hello Dolly! where he starred alongside the iconic Bette Midler. His portrayal of Cornelius Hackl in this production earned him a prestigious Tony award in 2017, a significant achievement in the world of theater. Many fans and friends are mourning his loss, with one friend describing him as a 'radiant actor' and expressing disbelief at his passing, stating, 'What a loss. ' Gavin's talents were not confined to Broadway; he also made a significant impact 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. This role was so well-received that he later reprised it on Broadway, further solidifying his status as a leading figure in musical theater. Following the news of his death, numerous friends and colleagues took to social media to express their sorrow. Idina Menzel, a fellow star, shared her shock and heartbreak, saying she was 'shaken to my core' and couldn't believe he was gone. She wrote, 'I keep re-reading his name thinking everyone's got it wrong. Not this man, not this beautiful, smiley, talented man. ' Her heartfelt message reflected the deep impact Gavin had on those who knew him. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the hit musical Hamilton, also paid tribute to Gavin, recalling how he was cast as the first King George III during the early workshop stages of the show. Lin-Manuel fondly remembered, 'Gavin Creel was our first King when all we had was 11 songs and he wrapped the audience around his finger with nothing but a Burger King crown and his mind-blowing charisma and talent. ' He expressed his disbelief at Gavin's passing, stating, 'He is so loved and it is unimaginable that he's no longer with us. ' Gavin's journey in the world of theater began with his first major Broadway role as Jimmy Smith in the revival of Thoroughly Modern Millie in 2002, which earned him his first Tony nomination for best leading actor in a musical. He also portrayed Claude Hooper Bukowski in the 2009 revival of Hair on Broadway, showcasing his versatility as a performer. Gavin made his West End debut in 2006 as Bert in Mary Poppins and later reprised his role in the West End transfer of Hair in 2010. In addition to his stage work, Gavin had a presence on television, appearing in a two-episode arc in Ryan Murphy's miniseries American Horror Stories alongside Matt Bomer in 2021. He also starred with the legendary Julie Andrews in the TV movies Eloise At The Plaza and Eloise At Christmastime in the early 2000s. Gavin was not only a talented performer but also an advocate for social change. He co-founded Broadway Impact, an organization dedicated to mobilizing the theater community to support marriage equality. Born in Findlay, Ohio, Gavin graduated from the University of Michigan School of Music, where he honed his craft. His publicist mentioned that there will be a small private gathering for his family, and a celebration of his life will be organized for the theater community at a later date, allowing friends and fans to come together to honor his remarkable legacy.