Gavin Creel, the Tony Award-winning Broadway star celebrated for his roles in Hello, Dolly!, Waitress, and The Book of Mormon, has passed away at the age of 48.
His partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed his death to PEOPLE following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma. Creel’s diagnosis, received just months earlier in July 2024, stunned his fans and Broadway colleagues alike. Despite undergoing treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City, he eventually transitioned to hospice care at home.
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Born on April 18, 1976, in Findlay, Ohio, Creel developed a passion for the arts at a young age, eventually pursuing a degree in musical theater from the University of Michigan. His Broadway debut came in 2002, when he starred as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, a role that earned him his first Tony nomination.
Over the course of his career, Creel became known for his remarkable vocal range, emotional depth, and versatility on stage. He gained widespread acclaim for his portrayal of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, which earned him another Tony nomination. His performance as Cornelius Hackl in the 2017 revival of Hello, Dolly!, opposite Bette Midler, secured him his first Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
Creel’s other notable roles included starring in Hair, She Loves Me, and Waitress. Beyond Broadway, he also had an active career in London’s West End, where he received an Olivier Award nomination for his role in The Book of Mormon.
Many friends posted tributes to Creel on social media.
Rest in Peace.