Gavin Creel, a well-known figure in the theater community, passed away on September 30 at the age of 48, following a battle with a rare and aggressive sarcoma. His partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed the news.
Creel had been diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare form of cancer affecting bones and soft tissues like muscles and nerves, in July 2024. Prior to transitioning to hospice care at home, he received treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.
The actor’s family and close friends have requested privacy during this difficult time and have encouraged donations in his memory to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. A small family gathering will take place, with a public celebration of life planned for the community on a date to be announced.
Creel’s close-knit friends and family request privacy as they plan a public celebration of his life
His remarkable tenor voice, vibrant personality, and striking looks distinguished him in the competitive world of musical theater. As an openly gay performer, Creel used his influence to advocate for racial equality, address inappropriate behavior behind the scenes, and promote LGBTQ rights, particularly as a co-founder of the grassroots organization Broadway Impact during the early marriage equality movement.
Hailing from Findlay, Ohio, Creel discovered his passion for musical theater during his sophomore year of high school when he secured a role in Camelot. Reflecting on that transformative experience in a May 2024 documentary by Jonathan Theodore Baker, he shared, “I realized I had been bitten by the bug when I felt a sense of sadness after the show ended. It was not just the fun and music, but the bonds formed with my fellow cast members that drew me in. I yearned to pursue that connection as a career.”
After graduating from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre and Dance, Creel began his career at the regional Pittsburgh CLO before relocating to New York City, where he landed his first role in the touring production of Fame: The Musical. “I felt like the luckiest person alive to get that opportunity,” he recalled. “Through that job, I started to meet people and realized there was a place for me in this city.”
Creel emphasized the importance of community in his journey, stating, “It was never about the money or the job; it was about the people. These buildings and streets lack a heartbeat; it’s the individuals who come together to create something meaningful.”
His role in Fame opened doors to numerous Off-Broadway opportunities, culminating in his Broadway debut in 2002 as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, for which he received his first Tony Award nomination. A second nomination followed in 2009 for his portrayal of Claude in the Broadway revival of Hair.
Creel’s first Tony Award victory came in 2017 when he played Cornelius Hackl in the acclaimed revival of Hello, Dolly! alongside Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce. In a touching moment, he received the award from Foster, calling it a “dream come true.”
After winning the award, Creel offered advice to aspiring theater actors, urging them to step away from social media. “Stop living a virtual life over an actual life,” he advised reporters backstage.
“Don’t get lost in your phone and its never-ending cycle of anxiety. The purpose of being a theater actor lies in connecting with an audience, not in self-absorption. Get off your devices and onto the stage.”
Creel had an extensive Broadway career, including the 2016 Tony-nominated revival of She Loves Me, performances in Waitress alongside Sara Bareilles, and the 2022 production of Into the Woods, which earned him a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
From 2012 to 2015, he starred in multiple productions of The Book of Mormon, spanning from the national tour to the original West End production, which won him the Laurence Olivier Award in 2014.
His on-screen appearances included two episodes of FX on Hulu’s American Horror Stories alongside Matt Bomer and Sierra McCormick. As a singer-songwriter, Creel released several original albums and EPs and participated in numerous musical theater compilations and concerts, including the LGBT RFamilyVacations cruise with Rosie O’Donnell.
His final stage role was profoundly personal, featuring in Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, a musical he both wrote and starred in, which ran Off-Broadway at the MCC Theater from November 2023 to January 2024.
Commissioned by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the production showcased a vulnerable side of Creel as he navigated his identity in the aftermath of a failed relationship.
In a December 2023 interview with The Daily Beast, he shared insights on finding happiness beyond the constraints of industry success. “Winning the Tony Award didn’t change anything for me,” Creel admitted, noting that he received no immediate offers following the win. “The industry is cyclical, and I learned not to depend on it for my happiness because it doesn’t care about me.”
His musical also explored the impact of religion on his life and his journey toward accepting God. “I’m in a healing place that I never thought I’d reach,” he remarked. “The joy and opportunities I experience stem from my authenticity. I genuinely feel blessed, and I no longer fear God; I feel like I’m working in collaboration with Him.”
Looking ahead, Creel expressed hope that Walk on Through would enjoy a long and successful run. “This show represents the most creative endeavor I’ve ever participated in, and I aspire for it to flourish,” he stated.
“I envision it making its way to Broadway, where it can touch the hearts of countless viewers, and eventually tour globally. My desire is to share this experience with others.”
“While I could be content never returning to film or television, I still yearn to perform on stage,” Creel affirmed. “I cherish the opportunity to tell stories that inspire laughter, tears, and reflection.”
