Tributes pour in for Gavin Creel, Broadway star who died of cancer at 48

Tributes poured in from across the globe for Broadway actor Gavin Creel, who died Monday.

Creel, 48, died after a two-month battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, according to reports.  Creel had learned in July he was suffering from metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a representative for the actor confirmed to USA TODAY. He had received treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering.

Creel, who won a Tony Award for his work in "Hello, Dolly!" and an Olivier Award for "The Book of Mormon," was a beloved, velvet-voiced talent and gay rights activist who is known for roles ranging from "Hair" to "Into the Woods."

Creel relished the opportunity to explore his wild side in "Into the Woods," where he played both the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince.

More: Gavin Creel, Tony-winning Broadway star, dies at 48

"I come offstage most of the time and whoever's nearest me, I go 'I'm an idiot. I'm a total idiot.' It is freedom to explore mayhem and new ways of delighting and being wicked, in both roles. I find the Prince so deliciously salaciously naughty and self-absorbed in a way that makes perfect sense to me," he told the Asbury Park Press in 2023.

He also spoke of feeling Stephen Sondheim's presence during the show.

More: 2 princes: Gavin Creel, Joshua Henry trace journey 'Into The Woods' before national tour

"People leaping when Cinderella goes 'I wish.' We hear screams before the lights snap up," he said. "That to me is Steve. Steve in the audience. He's in the intervals of our singing."

Last year, he wrote and starred “Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice,” off-Broadway.

Creel's death sent shockwaves through the theater world.

On Instagram, composer and lyricist Benj Pasek shared what he said was the last text message Creel sent him.

"Not living is the one thing I have learned so far during this time that is NO LONGER AN OPTION EVER AGAIN. Live. If you are alive LIVE," the message reads.

"I don’t have the words so I’ll let Gavin’s speak for themselves. This was the last text he sent me. If you are alive, LIVE," Pasek said.

Creel co-stared in the first national tour of "The Book of Mormon" with Toms River native Jared Gertner, who currently is touring with "Waitress."

"Almost 13 years ago, Gavin Creel and I found out that we’d be leading the first national tour of Book of Mormon together. Rehearsals were still months away, but Gavin got my number and invited me to dinner. We met outside of 5 Napkin Burger, and went in to eat. When we sat down, Gav said, “…this is what I love about what we do! I was looking at you across the street just now and I realized that even though we barely know each other now, by this time next year, we won’t be able to imagine our lives without each other," Gertner wrote on Instagram.

"He was right. But it didn’t take a year. By the end of that meal, I couldn’t imagine my life without Gav. I still can’t. I learned more from Gav than maybe anyone I’ve ever known. I learned how to truly lead a company, how to put others first, how to lift others up, how to keep striving to be better and do better, how to be a better actor and person. No one’s light has ever shined brighter. No one’s voice has ever been more beautiful. No one’s spirit has ever been more full of light. I will never have enough words to say how much Gavin meant to me or how lucky I feel to have been in his orbit during his all too brief time here. Thank you, Gavin. For all of it. I am sending hugs to everyone who loved Gav," he continued.

New York City Center, where the "Into the Woods" revival originated, wrote," We lost our prince. The New York City Center and Encores! family is devastated by the death of Gavin Creel today. The world has less light. Our love goes out to Gavin’s parents and sisters, his partner Alex, his dog Nina, and his devoted and beloved friends, Celia-Keenan Bolger and Sara Bareilles."

Bette Midler called him a "radiant actor" and wrote: "I looked forward to working with him every single night. He was fantastic. I can’t believe he’s gone. What a loss," on Instagram.

Bernadette Peters wrote: "Gavin Creel. What a beautiful soul What a great talent and gorgeous voice RIP We will miss you."

"I’ve just had to sit down. I keep rereading his name thinking everyone’s got it wrong. Not this man, not this beautiful, smiley, talented man. The absolute real deal, talent pouring out of every pore. I’m heartbroken you’ve gone Gavin. I hope to see you again my friend. God I’m shaken to my core," Hannah Waddingham wrote on Twitter.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson wrote, "Dear Gavin, Thank you for being a light in my life for 25 years. Your friendship was never taken for granted and I feel so lucky and blessed to have shared this earth with you. Rest now my sweet friend...until we meet again. I love you."

Sutton Foster posted, "My sweet friend. I will love you forever."

Andrew Rannells wrote: "I fell in love with Gavin Creel in 1998 the moment I met him. I was certainly not alone in my instant affection for him. Everyone fell in love with Gavin. Our friendship grew and changed and was challenged and became stronger over the decades. We were living big, exciting lives at times but the moments we were happiest, the moments we were most ourselves, were the quiet ones. We called each other “Soulmate” or “Soulie” for short. It was a joke that became a nickname that, in some ways, became a truth that made us both smile when we said it. My heart feels incredibly empty today. I know I’m not alone in this feeling because again, everyone fell in love with Gavin."

Kristin Chenoweth posted a short video on Instagram, saying "I love you too Gavin. RIP my friend. You’ll be so missed. Our community loves you so much! Fly with the angels, brother!"

Actor Stephanie J. Block posted a photo of Creel and her daughter, saying "She will live with more joy, love bigger and fight for causes louder because of him. We will love him forever."

Actor Matthew Morrison wrote: "What a loss. It felt like we grew up together. Everybody loved Gavin—he was all heart, and his talent was pure and immense. In such a competitive business, I’ll always remember how we rooted for each other and celebrated our successes. The way he lived his life was a success in itself, and today, I celebrate him. Rest easy, my friend."

Krysta Rodriguez wrote: "My Prince. My heart goes out to anyone who was ever changed by this beautiful man. I know we are many. We’ll take you with us everywhere."

"Sometimes, I don’t have the right words to describe my sadness. Today is one of those days. We have lost someone far too young, far too early still in his journey and far too impactful to our creative community. My heart breaks for his family and his closest friends. This is just not fair. We will never forget you @realgavincreel ," wrote actor Josh Gad on Instagram.

Actor and composer Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote: "Gavin Creel was our first King when all we had was 11 songs and he wrapped the audience around his finger with nothing but a Burger King crown and his mind-blowing charisma and talent. He is so loved and it is unimaginable that he’s no longer with us. My heart goes out to all the friends and family and collaborators lucky enough to be in his orbit. We love you and we’ll always love you Gavin."

The Instagram account for "The Book of Mormon" wrote: "The Book of Mormon mourns the loss of Gavin Creel, who died on Monday from a rare form of cancer (metastatic melanotic nerve sheath sarcoma). Gavin starred as Elder Price in the Broadway, London and First National Tour productions of The Book of Mormon and was a cherished member of the show’s extended community and our dearest friend. He will be greatly missed by our company and the entire theatre community around the world. We send our deepest condolences to his parents, Nancy Clemens Creel and James William Creel, his partner, Alex Temple Ward, and his sisters Heather Elise Creel and Allyson Jo Creel.  Gavin, you were something incredible."

Actor Orfeh said, "There are way too many things to say about this absolutely phenomenal GEM OF A PERSON for a simple insta post (Gavin would loathe that anyway) so please allow me to simply say, that an extremely bright, joy filled, kind and supernaturally talented person and magnificent friend has left us egregiously too soon."

Actor Julia Murney told of the time she first met Creel. "I am parked in a shopping market lot trying to get a handle on the fact that this magical being has left us. Gavin Creel is one of the brightest lights I have ever and will ever know. I don’t even know how I first knew him but it felt as if I always had. In 2004, we were both lucky enough to be invited on the first @rfamilyvacations cruise – a cruise for gay families and their extended families to just be exactly who they were and have a wonderful vacation without any judgement. It was truly unlike anything any of us had ever experienced. The second to last day Gavin and I passed each other on one of the decks on our ways to who knows where and we both stopped and he looked at me and said “I don’t want this to ever end.” I said “Me neither. This is what real life should be.” Gavin is what living life should be. Bright, positive, deeply loving, no judgement. His last show-which he wrote, beautifully -was called Walk on Through and it was about figuring out how to do just that. How to live and also lose and also love and also listen. May we all come close to the way that he did so. Our sweet friend. I wish we could never end. How I will miss him. #gavincreel ," she wrote on Instagram.

Stage manager Cody Renard said, "To know him was to love him. Gavin was the absolute best — he lit up any space he entered. The kindest soul and the biggest heart. I truly can’t believe it. You will be missed by so many, my friend."

"Sweet sweet Gavin Creel. An angel among the angels. I love you so much," wrote actor and singer Idina Menzel on Instagram.

"I have many stories. I can’t tell them through my tears. I love you, my faraway prince," wrote actor Ann Harada.

Actor Norbert Leo Butz said, "I can’t believe I am typing the words RIP @realgavincreel Gavin Creel was everyone’s favorite person in the room. His spirit, his open heartedness, his radical kindness are his legacy. Not to mention the molecule shifting talents he possessed as an actor/singer/composer/ songwriter. He was brilliant at it all, including winning at Bingo and rocking mumus in Bora Bora. This loss will be felt by the Broadway community for a long long time. Peace and love to all his loved ones."

Kerry Butler wrote: "I can’t believe it! You will hear so many incredible stories about Gavin because he was so beloved. He stood up for people without power. He was generous. Always giving love. Always had a hug for you and a positive word. And his VOICE! His heart shined through when he sang and in the performances he gave. We have an angel looking out for all of us. Wish I got to give you one last hug and tell you how special you were."

"My super friend Gavin. You were absolutely one of a kind. The biggest heart. The most gorgeous spirit. And that voice….absolutely earth shattering. Cannot imagine this world without you in it. Sending so much love to his family and friends and everyone who knew and loved him," actor Lindsay Mendez wrote.

"Gavin Creel changed my life. That story is not unique. He touched and cared for everyone he ever met. He sent my mother a video in the hospital when she was dying and always endeavored to make EVERYONE feel important and seen. There aren’t enough words. Sail on you incredible man. I will love you forever," actor Matt DeAngelis posted on Instagram.

Actor Mykal Kilgore posted a silly video of Creel bopping at his makeup table and wrote: " @realgavincreel … this is how I’ll remember you. Silly, sweet, talented, free. Rest with the angels, friend."

Actor Jessie Hooker Bailey wrote, "All of us have the same story, I think- whether you’ve worked with him, met him at a stagedoor, done charity work with him or saw and maybe even performed with him in a concert. If you’ve ever met Gavin he made you feel like the most important person in the room. My time in the diner with him was short but he held each of us so well, always going deep in convo and left me with lessons I’ve carried with me in my career and teaching. Gavin, your heart and spirit is something anyone who’s met you will carry with them. We are all so so SO lucky to have had you on this realm. We are all so so SO lucky to have been able to watch your joy and authenticity, reminding us all to do and be the same way, free. We love you. We thank you. Oh we thank you. Birthday buddy— rest well and please guide us."

"I keep thinking I have words but I don’t. This is one of my favorite pictures of Gavin. When I found out he was sick, I almost didn’t blink an eye. I knew he’d be okay. I was positive he would be okay and all of this would go away as quickly as it came. When I learned things wouldn’t be okay, I still somehow thought he would be okay. It doesn’t make any sense. Love you forever, Gavin. You twinkle above us, we twinkle below," actor Josh Lamon wrote.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Tributes pour in for Gavin Creel, Broadway star who died of cancer at 48