Gavin Creel, Broadway star known for 'Hello, Dolly!' and 'Waitress,' dead at 48

Gavin Creel, a Tony-winning Broadway veteran known for his work in productions of “Hello, Dolly!” “Waitress” and “The Book of Mormon,” has died, according to his representative. He was 48.

Gavin Creel, a Tony-winning Broadway veteran known for his work in productions of “Hello, Dolly!” “Waitress” and “The Book of Mormon,” has died, according to his representative. He was 48.

Matt Polk, a representative for Creel, told CNN that the actor’s passing was confirmed by Creel’s partner Alex Temple Ward. Creel died at his Manhattan home on Monday.

“As an award-winning Broadway star, he brought irrepressible verve, passion, and boundless energy to his onstage roles while devoting his offstage time to advocacy and community-building,” an obituary provided by Polk stated.

Creel was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of sarcoma in July 2024 and underwent treatment at Memorial Sloan Kettering, the obituary said.

Creel, who hailed from Findlay, Ohio, made his Broadway debut in 2002 when he originated the role of Jimmy Smith in the stage production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” a performance that garnered Creel his very first Tony Award nomination in the best performance by an actor in a lead role in a musical category.

He went on to become a highly celebrated star of the stage, known for his work in both comedic and dramatic roles in many major Broadway and West End productions.

In 2009, Creel earned his second Tony nomination when he starred as Claude Hooper Bukowski in the Broadway revival of “Hair.” He went on to win an Olivier Award in 2014 for best actor in a musical for his performance as Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon.”