Heartfelt tributes are pouring in for Gavin Creel, the American Horror Stories star who tragically passed away at the age of 48 following a battle with cancer. Gavin was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in July and sadly lost his life at his residence in Manhattan. His partner, Alex Temple Ward, revealed that Gavin had been receiving treatment for sarcoma, a type of cancer that develops in connective tissues like bones, muscles, and nerves, with the disease commonly affecting the limbs.
Gavin had a remarkable career, leaving a lasting impact on Broadway. He received a Tony Award nomination for his debut lead role in the 2002 production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and gained recognition in the UK for his portrayal of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon from 2012 to 2015, winning an Olivier Award. In 2017, he won a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! alongside the legendary Bette Midler, who led the tributes on social media upon hearing the sad news.
Broadway icon Idina Menzel expressed her sorrow, calling Gavin “an angel among the angels”, while Bernadette Peters described him as a “beautiful soul” and a “great performer.” The news of Gavin’s passing also shocked Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, who described him as a “beautiful, smiley, talented man” and expressed her deep sadness at his loss. Gavin is survived by his mother, father, two sisters, and his partner.
A private funeral will be held for Gavin, with plans for a memorial service at a later date. His family has requested that donations in his memory be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Gavin’s untimely death has left a void in the entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues alike mourning the loss of a talented and beloved performer. His legacy will undoubtedly live on through his incredible body of work and the memories he created for audiences around the world.