Genevieve Brooks

Staff Writer

Gavin Creel died on September 30, 2024. Creel was well known in the Broadway community. His death was caused by a rare form of nerve cancer. He had been diagnosed with cancer in July of 2024.

Creel was primarily a stage actor. He attended the University of Michigan prior to the start of his career and received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. His career began in the late 90s, and his earliest roles were in regional productions. Creel also acted in multiple touring productions before making his Broadway debut in 2002.

Creel first starred on Broadway as Jimmy Smith in the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie. This role won him his first Tony nomination, despite being his first leading role in a Broadway musical. Creel continued to act in various Broadway productions throughout the early 2000s and 2010s. Some of his notable roles were Claude in the musical Hair, and Elder Price in the Book of Mormon. Creel was involved in several productions of Book of Mormon, including the West End production in London. In 2017, he played a lead role in Hello, Dolly!, a performance which won him his first Tony award. Following this role, he played a lead role in Waitress.

Gavin Creel was well known for his acting talent, but he was also known for his support of LGBT rights. Creel was gay, and came out in 2009. Throughout his career, he strongly supported marriage equality and actively supported the cause alongside other Broadway actors.

Gavin Creel’s death was a tragedy, and the theater community is mourning the loss of one of its stars. Many of Creel’s fellow actors, who knew him both professionally and personally, have shared their condolences. Many theater fans have also shared the grief they’ve felt due to his passing.