Gavin Creel dead: Rosie O'Donnell and other celebrity reactions

Celebrities mourn the Tony Award winner Gavin Creel.

Adam Lambert And Rosie O'Donnell were among the famous faces who expressed their condolences to Creel's family, friends and loved ones following his death. He was 48.

“Heartbreaking – what an incredibly talented, loving and funny man,” O'Donnell captioned a tribute to Creel on Instagram. “All of Broadway will miss him.”

Creel's death was confirmed Us weekly from his partner, Alex Temple Wardin September 2024 by a publicist. The cause of death was metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma — a rare form of cancer that begins in the spinal cord and travels through the nerves to the body — which Creel was diagnosed with in July.

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Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002 Thoroughly modern Milliefor which he received his first Tony Award nomination. During his career, Creel starred in productions by hairwhich earned him another Tony Award nomination, La Cage Aux Folles, She loves me, The Book of Mormon And waitress. He received a Tony Award for his performance Hello, Dolly! as Cornelius Hackl in 2017.

Read on for all the celebrities who reacted to Gavin Creel's death.

Sutton Foster

Foster, who played the lead role Thoroughly modern Millie to Creel, expressed himself via Instagram after his death.

“My sweet friend,” she captioned a photo of the pair performing on stage together. “I will love you forever.”

Adam Lambert

Lambert remembered Creel in a comment below Playbillis an Instagram tribute to the late artist.

“An immense talent and such a lovely person :(,” he wrote.

Rosie O'Donnell

O'Donnell appeared shocked and saddened to hear the news of Creel's death, continuing to write, “Oh my God.” Playbill's Instagram post.

Todrick Hall

The singer remembered his friend as “the nicest person with the most talent” via Instagram, adding: “I love you so much my friend, we will miss you very much.”

Leah Salonga

Executive Director of After Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDs Tom Viola While Salonga shared an emotional and heartfelt tribute to Creel on the organization's official Instagram account, Salonga remembered her Broadway colleague in the comments section by sharing a story about Creel's passion for helping people.

“I remember attending one of those meetings where you were in charge and Gavin was so engaging and generous, enthusiastic in his desire to help (I was there in place of a friend who wasn't attending that day). could),” she wrote. “He was such a force for good. He always radiated kindness in everything he did. I am so shocked by the news of his death and heartbroken for all his friends, colleagues and loved ones.”

Stephanie J Block-Arcelus

The Broadway star shared memories of Creel with her daughter Vivienne via Instagram after Creel's death.

“She will live with more joy, love more and fight louder for the cause because of him. We will love him forever,” she wrote alongside photos of the couple over the years.

Lin Manuel Miranda

The three-time Tony winner remembered Creel by sharing a photo of the couple Joshua Henry, Brian D'Arcy James, Phillipa Soo And Sarah Bareilles via Instagram and said he was “shocked” by the news of Creel’s death.

(Creel and Manuel worked together during the early workshop stages of his musical Hamilton before it had its first professional production at the Off-Broadway Public Theater.)

“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,” he wrote. “He is so loved and it is unimaginable that he is no longer with us. My condolences go out to all the friends, family and co-workers who were lucky enough to be around him. We love you and we will always love you, Gavin.”

Orfeh

The Tony and Grammy nominee paid tribute to Creel on Instagram.

“There's way too much to say about this absolutely phenomenal GEM OF A PERSON for a simple Insta post (Gavin would detest that anyway),” captioned a photo of the late artist. “So please allow me to just say that an extremely smart, joyful, kind and supernaturally talented person and great friend has passed away far too soon💔😔 My deepest and most sincere condolences go out to his loved ones.”

Nicola Coughlan

The Bridgerton The actress posted a screenshot of the album cover for “I Turned the Corner / I'm Falling in Love With Someone,” which features Creel singing along Thoroughly modern Millie co-stars Foster, Marc Kudisch And Angela Christian.

“RIP GAVIN CREEL,” she wrote on her Instagram Story along with a heart emoji.

Matthew Michael Lopez

The playwright and Red, white and royal blue The screenwriter paid tribute to Creel, with whom he worked in the “early days” of his musical Some like it hotvia his Instagram.

“Today’s loss of the one and only Gavin Creel breaks my heart. A great artist and a true human being. “I had the pleasure of working with Gavin in the early days of developing SOME LIKE IT HOT,” wrote Lopez. “He was everything you would want in an employee – funny, resourceful, friendly and tireless. The Broadway community lost a great artist and an even greater friend today. Gavin was irreplaceable.”

Kerry Butler

Butler, who originated the role of Penny Pingleton HairsprayAt the inaugural event in 2002, Creel was remembered as a pillar of the theater community.

“I can't believe it! You will hear so many incredible stories about Gavin because he was so popular. He stood up for people without power. He was generous. Always give love. I always had a hug for you and a positive word,” she wrote via Instagram. “And his VOICE! His heart glowed when he sang and during the performances he gave. We have an angel watching over us all. I wish I could hug you one last time and tell you how special you were.”