Gavin Creel, the acclaimed TV and Broadway performer, has passed away at the age of 48 due to a “rare and aggressive” cancer, as confirmed by his publicist, Matt Polk. Creel was celebrated for his role in the Broadway production of Hello Dolly!, where he starred alongside Bette Midler and won a Tony Award in 2017 for his performance as Cornelius Hackl. Midler honored Creel on Instagram, calling him a “radiant actor” and expressing her disbelief at his passing, saying, “What a loss.”
In addition to his work on Broadway, Creel also made his mark in the West End, winning an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2014 for his role as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, a character he reprised on Broadway. Reacting to his death, British actress Hannah Waddingham shared her heartbreak on social media, stating, “I keep re-reading his name thinking everyone’s got it wrong… I’m heartbroken you’ve gone Gavin.”
Lin-Manuel Miranda, actor, producer, and composer, also paid tribute, recalling Creel’s early involvement as the first King George III in the development of his hit musical Hamilton. Miranda praised Creel’s “mind-blowing charisma and talent,” expressing disbelief at the loss of such a beloved figure. Idina Menzel and Josh Gad, stars of Frozen, also shared their condolences on social media.