Gavin Creel, Broadway star known for “Hair” and “Hello, Dolly!”, dies at 48

Tony-winning Broadway star Gavin Creel died Monday after a short battle with an aggressive, rare cancer. He was 48.

Creel was diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma in July and was treated at New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, according to a representative for Creel, who confirmed his death to NBC News.

Creel's Broadway career spanned 20 years. He made his Broadway debut in 2002 as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, a role that earned him his first Tony nomination. He then starred in “Hair,” which also earned him recognition, according to his website, as well as “La Cage aux Folles,” “She Loves Me,” “The Book of Mormon” and “Waitress.” He won a Tony Award in 2017 for his portrayal of Cornelius Hackl in the Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!”

The actor, known for his energetic physical performances, also won a Grammy in 2023 for the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim's “Into the Woods” and the 2014 Olivier Award for his performance as Elder Price in “The Book of.” Mormon.”

Many in the theater community, including “Hello Dolly!” co-star Bette Midler, original “Wicked” star Kristin Chenoweth and “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda, expressed shock and sadness at the news on social media and described Creel as a beloved legend.

“Gavin Creel was our first King when we only had 11 songs and he captivated audiences with just a Burger King crown and his overwhelming charisma and talent,” Miranda wrote in his Instagram post. “He is so loved and it is unimaginable that he is no longer with us.”

“The Book of Mormon” alums Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells also mourned Creel in posts.

“We lost someone who was far too young, far too early in his journey, and had far too much influence on our creative community. “My heart breaks for his family and closest friends,” Gad wrote on Instagram. “That’s just not fair.”

“We sometimes led big, exciting lives, but the moments when we were happiest, the moments when we were most ourselves, were the quiet ones,” Rannells wrote. “We called each other “Soulmate” or “Soulie” for short. It was a joke that became a nickname that, in a way, became a truth that made us both smile as we said it. My heart feels incredibly empty today. I know I’m not alone in this feeling because once again everyone has fallen in love with Gavin.”

Sutton Foster, who played Creel's counterpart in Thoroughly Modern Millie, posted a picture of the two of them on Instagram and wrote: “My sweet friend. I will love you forever.”

Tom Viola, executive director of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, described the late actor as “not just one of the good ones, but the best.”

The philanthropic organization, where Creel served on the board of trustees, provides resources to people affected by life-threatening illnesses such as AIDS and Covid-19.

“In addition to the radiant talent that Gavin Creel shared with all of us on stage, he mastered the ability to motivate, mobilize and inspire others by sharing the best of himself, which was simply his loving, joyful heart.” said Viola in a statement.

The Shubert Organization, the oldest professional theater group in the United States, wrote on X that after Creel's death, “the lights on Broadway will shine a little less.”

SAG-AFTRA, the actors' union of which Creel was a member, said in its post that “one of Broadway's brightest personalities has left us.”

The report behind the Tony Awards called Creel's death a “devastating loss.”

His “extraordinary talent, kindness and passion lit up the stage and our hearts,” the show wrote in its X post sharing the star's acceptance speech.