Gavin Creel, Tony Award-Winning Broadway Star, Dies After Battle with Sarcoma

Renowned Broadway actor Gavin Creel, aged 48, tragically passed away on Monday, September 30, following a courageous battle against a rare type of cancer. Creel was celebrated for his award-winning performances in productions such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, and the latest revival of Into the Woods. He succumbed to metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, just two months after his diagnosis in July.

His partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed the sad news of Creel’s passing. After undergoing treatment at New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering, Creel moved to hospice care at home, where he spent his last days.

Gavin Creel’s Esteemed Broadway Journey

Gavin Creel garnered a Tony Award for his portrayal of Cornelius Hackl in the 2017 production of Hello, Dolly!, starring alongside Bette Midler. Critics widely applauded Creel’s performance, with The Hollywood Reporter’s David Rooney commenting that Creel’s voice had “never sounded sweeter.”

Creel’s illustrious Broadway career began in 2002 when he played Jimmy Smith in the hit musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, a role that earned him his first Tony nomination. In 2009, he starred in the revival of Hair, receiving another Tony nomination, solidifying his status as one of the top musical theater performers.

During the run of Hair, Creel emerged as a strong advocate for marriage equality, co-founding the nonprofit organization Broadway Impact with Rory O’Malley and Jenny Kanelos.

His most recent Broadway engagement was in the 2022 revival of Into the Woods, where he played dual roles as Cinderella’s Prince and the Wolf, working alongside Sara Bareilles. The two artists had previously collaborated in Waitress, forming a close friendship during their time together.

Creel also demonstrated his artistic versatility with his off-Broadway project Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, a musical he wrote and composed based on his experiences at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

In addition to his Broadway accomplishments, Gavin Creel’s West End career featured notable performances as Bert in Mary Poppins in 2006 and reprising his role in the West End transfer of Hair in 2010. He won the 2014 Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, performing in both the West End and Broadway productions.

Creel’s impressive Broadway repertoire also includes significant roles such as Jean-Michel in the 2004 revival of La Cage aux Folles and Steven Kodaly in the 2016 revival of She Loves Me. He was a beloved member of the Broadway community, recognized for his passionate energy, powerful voice, and unwavering commitment to social justice.

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Gavin James Creel was born on April 18, 1976, in Findlay, Ohio. His passion for musical theater began at a young age, inspired by his elementary school teacher, Nancy Glick. Creel’s first solo performance of “Gary, Indiana”from The Music Man ignited his love for the performing arts.

After completing high school at Findlay High School in 1994, Creel pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

During his time at university, he studied under voice teacher Melody Racine and formed lasting friendships with classmates, including Celia Keenan-Bolger; together, they established the Activist Artist Endowed Scholarship Fund at the University of Michigan. Creel frequently returned to Michigan to mentor and share his expertise with emerging talents.

Gavin Creel is survived by his partner, Alex Temple Ward, his parents, Nancy Clemens Creel and James William Creel, his sisters, Heather Elise Creel and Allyson Jo Creel, and his beloved dog, Nina. A private funeral service is planned, with a memorial to be held at a later date. To honor his remarkable legacy, his family has requested that donations be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS.

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