Tony Award-winning Broadway star Gavin Creel, known for performing in iconic musicals like Hello, Dolly! and Hair, passed away on Monday in Manhattan.
His partner confirmed the heartbreaking news, leaving the theater community mourning the loss of a beloved talent whose contributions to the stage will be remembered for years.
Gavin Creel’s Cause of Death
Gavin Creel’s untimely passing was caused by metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
Diagnosed only in July 2024, the cancer rapidly spread throughout his body, tragically claiming his life at his Manhattan home just a few months later. Creel was only 48 years old, leaving behind a legacy cherished by the theater community and beyond.
Born in Findlay, Ohio, on April 18, 1976, Gavin Creel’s path to Broadway stardom began with determination and a love for the stage that would carry him far.
Creel’s Battle with Rare Cancer Ends in Tragedy
His big break came in 2002 when he stepped into the role of Jimmy in Jeanine Tesori’s vibrant musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, where he starred alongside Sutton Foster at the Marquis Theater.
A Breakthrough Role in Thoroughly Modern Millie
However, Creel’s journey to that moment wasn’t without its trials. During previews of Millie, in a scene full of energy and movement, he suffered a serious knee injury while performing the speakeasy number.
My favorite musical of all time, and the best show I’ve ever seen on Broadway.
— erin 🥥🌴 (@_erinmckenziee) September 30, 2024
Gavin Creel was a master class. This one hurts 💔🕊️ https://t.co/tivfHlVX03
Forced to step back and watch his understudy take the stage night after night, Creel was torn between admiration and a deep longing to reclaim his role.
He described the experience vividly, saying, “I felt like a jealous ex-boyfriend,” watching Sutton Foster, his onstage partner, perform with someone else. “I was thinking, ‘I don’t want you up there with her.’ It was like I’d fallen in love with her.” His words captured the intensity of his connection to the role and the magical world of the theater—a passion that fueled his remarkable career.
Absolutely devastated. How lucky were we to be able to see Gavin Creel perform. What a gift. https://t.co/EVMaJquP0b
— Becky Hawrusik (@Beckaroo21) September 30, 2024
Gavin Creel’s resilience paid off when he recovered from his knee injury and made his triumphant return to the Thoroughly Modern Millie stage. With his powerful voice and captivating presence, he delivered a standout performance of the song “What Do I Need With Love?” which quickly became a fan favorite.
This is so unbelievably heartbreaking. 💔 I LOVED HIM. I feel so blessed I got to witness his Tony winning performance on Broadway with Bette Midler in #HelloDolly in 2017. Also again in L.A. in July of 2023 at the Ahmanson in #IntoTheWoods. What a great loss. RIP #GavinCreel. 🕊️ pic.twitter.com/j5P2jOLz2o
— Debra Palermo (@debrapalermo) September 30, 2024
His portrayal of Jimmy earned him his first Tony Award nomination, marking the beginning of a stellar Broadway career. This role not only showcased his talent but solidified his place as a rising star in the musical theater world.
