Gavin Creel, a celebrated Tony-winning Broadway performer known for his roles in productions such as “Hair,” “Hello, Dolly,” and “Into the Woods,” passed away at the age of 48 on Monday at his Manhattan residence. His death was confirmed by his publicist to the New York Times, revealing that he succumbed to metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma.
With a distinguished career spanning two decades on Broadway, Creel garnered his first Tony Award in 2017 for best featured actor in a musical for his performance in “Hello, Dolly.” He had received previous nominations for “Hair” in 2009 and for “Thoroughly Modern Millie” in 2002. Additionally, he won a Grammy Award in 2023 for best musical theater album for the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s “Into the Woods.”
Creel was honored with a Laurence Olivier Award in 2014 for originating the character of Elder Price in the West End production of “The Book of Mormon.” Between 2012 and 2016, he was involved in the U.S. national tour of the musical, as well as performances on the West End, and served as a Broadway replacement in the production.
His Broadway career began with his debut in the original musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie” in 2002, where he received his first Tony nomination alongside Sutton Foster. After participating in the original cast of “Road Show,” he returned to Broadway in 2004 with the revival of “La Cage aux Folles.” He made his West End debut in 2006 with “Mary Poppins.”
Creel earned a second Tony nomination for his portrayal of Claude in the 2009 revival of “Hair,” which later moved to the West End. Following his time in “The Book of Mormon,” he starred in the 2016 revival of “She Loves Me” alongside Jane Krakowski, notable for being the first Broadway show to be livestreamed.
In 2017, he celebrated his Tony win for playing Cornelius Hackl in the revival of “Hello, Dolly” featuring Bette Midler. He subsequently took on the role of Dr. Pomatter in Sara Bareilles’ “Waitress” both on Broadway and in the West End. His last Broadway performance was as the Wolf and Cinderella’s Prince in the 2022 revival of “Into the Woods,” as well as appearing in the Off-Broadway production “Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice.”
Creel also ventured into television, making his debut in 2003’s “Eloise at the Plaza” and its sequel, “Eloise at Christmastime.” He appeared in various other shows, including episodes of “Rapunzel’s Tangled Adventure” and “American Horror Stories.”