CNN
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Gavin Creel, a Tony-winning Broadway veteran known for his work in productions of “Hello, Dolly!” According to his rep, ‘Waitress’ and ‘The Book of Mormon’ have died. He was 48.

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

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

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, a native of Findlay, Ohio, made his Broadway debut in 2002 when he played the role of Jimmy Smith in the stage production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” a performance that earned Creel his first-ever Tony Award nomination in Best Performance of a actor in a leading role in a musical category.

He became a highly celebrated stage star, 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 then won an Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2014 for his role as Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon.”

Creel won his first Tony in 2017 for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in the revival of “Hello, Dolly!” He co-starred in the production with Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce.

During his acceptance speech, Creel thanked the musical theater department at his alma mater, the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater and Dance, saying that his education there “changed my life forever as a young person.”

“Today we mourn the devastating loss of Tony Award winner Gavin Creel, whose extraordinary talent, kindness and passion lit up the stage and our hearts,” the official X account of the Tony Awards wrote in a tribute to Creel on Monday.

Creel played the role of Dr. Pomatter in Sara Bareilles’ “Waitress” in the 2019 Broadway production and reprized the role in London’s West End in 2020. Creel’s obituary called Bareilles his “friend and kindred artistic spirit.”

In 2022, Creel and Bareilles worked together again when they appeared alongside each other in the Broadway production of Sondheim and James Lapine’s “Into the Woods.”

“Gavin lived his life with joy, integrity, wit, humor and grace. His sparkling presence and generous nature will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him,” the obituary said.

Creel is survived by his mother Nancy Clemens Creel and father James William Creel, his sisters Ward and his dog Nina.