We are saddened to share the news that the Broadway community has lost one of its brightest stars. On September 30, 2024, Tony Award-winning actor, singer, and songwriter Gavin Creel passed away at the age of 48 after a brief battle with a rare form of sarcoma. The news was confirmed by his partner Alex Temple Ward.
Known for his remarkable stage presence, comedic timing, and soaring vocals, Creel leaves behind a legacy defined by his contributions to musical theater, both on Broadway and the West End, and his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights for marriage equality.
Born on April 18, 1976, in Findlay, Ohio, Gavin James Creel began his ascent into the theater world early in life, culminating in a career that spanned over two decades. He starred as Nick Piazza in the first national tour of Fame and made his Broadway debut in 2002 in the leading role of Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, opposite Sutton Foster. His performance earned him a Tony Award nomination, marking the beginning of an illustrious career filled with critical acclaim and audience admiration.
Creel’s versatility on stage was further cemented with his starring role as Claude in the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair, a performance that garnered him his second Tony nomination. Internationally, Creel made waves on London’s West End as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, for which he won a Laurence Olivier Award in 2014. He went on to portray Cornelius Hackl in the 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly! which won him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.
In addition to his award-winning performances, Creel appeared in a variety of other iconic roles. His stage credits included La Cage aux Folles (2004), She Loves Me (2016), Waitress (2019), and Into the Woods (2022). He also played leading roles in the West End productions of Mary Poppins and Waitress.
Alongside Jenny Kanelos and Book of Mormon alum Rory O’Malley, the trio founded Broadway Impact, a grassroots organization fighting for marriage equality for the LGBTQ+ community.
Creel’s kindness, tremendous talent, and commitment to social justice will be remembered as much as his artistic achievements and he will be dearly missed.
