Broadway star Gavin Creel, known for his unforgettable performances in Waitress and The Book of Mormon, has tragically passed away at the age of 46. His death came after a diagnosis of a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma in July.
Gavin Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002, originating the role of Jimmy Smith in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, which earned him his first Tony nomination. He went on to portray Jean-Michel in the 2004 revival of La Cage aux Folles. Gavin received his second Tony nomination for his role as Claude in Diane Paulus’s 2009 revival of Hair and later won a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl alongside Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce in Hello, Dolly!
In addition to his Broadway successes, Gavin Creel gained critical acclaim for his portrayal of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon in the UK, earning both a WhatsOnStage Award and an Olivier Award. He made his West End debut in 2006 as Bert in Mary Poppins and starred in Waitress prior to the COVID-19 lockdowns. His notable revivals also included roles as the Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince in the 2022 revival of Into the Woods and as the charming Steven Kodaly in She Loves Me.
Beyond acting, Gavin Creel co-founded Broadway Impact with Rory O’Malley and Jenny Kanelos, advocating for the passing of the Marriage Equality Act within the theatre community. A proud alumnus of the University of Michigan, Creel and his friend Celia Keenan-Bolger established the Celia Keenan-Bolger and Gavin Creel Activist Artist Endowed Scholarship Fund, aimed at inspiring students to engage in social activism.
Creel’s most recent stage credit was the concept musical he wrote, Walk On Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, which premiered off-Broadway in 2023 and ran until early 2024.
Gavin Creel is survived by his mother, Nancy Clemens Creel; his father, James William Creel; his sisters, Heather Elise Creel and Allyson Jo Creel, along with her wife, Jen Kolb; his partner, Alex Temple Ward; and his beloved dog, Nina. Creel’s legacy will be remembered through his significant contributions to Broadway and the theatrical community.
