Tony Award-Winning 'Hello, Dolly!' Star Dies at 48

Tony Award-winner Gavin Creel, a beloved musical theater actor known for a variety of roles on stage, has died. He was just 48.

According to The New York Times, Creel's partner, Alex Temple Ward, confirmed his death through publicist Matt Polk, revealing that the actor died at their Manhattan home on Monday, Sept. 30, following a brief battle with an incredibly rare and aggressive form of cancer.

Creel learned he had metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma in July. It's unclear if he chose to try to treat it but, according to Cancer.gov, surgery may not be an option for these types of tumors, which are a rare type of sarcoma—an already rare type of cancer that develops in soft tissues or bone.

Fans mourned Creel's sudden and unexpected death, with one long-time fan calling it "shocking and horrible news."

"One of the real stars of the Broadway community and one of the sweetest, kindest gents you’d ever meet," they added. "This is a huge loss."

"RIP to one of the best ever to do it," another wrote on X. "Gavin Creel shaped the way every musical theatre performer of my generation interprets song. gone too soon is an understatement."

"Gavin Creel was truly one of the brightest lights in all of theater. He will be sorely missed. We're lucky to have had him on stage for the time that we did. RIP," a third said.

Creel made his Broadway debut in the early aughts in Thoroughly Modern Millie, which garnered his first Tony nomination. He went on to star in La Cage aux Folles, Hair (which earned him his second Tony nomination), The Book of Mormon, She Loves Me, Hello, Dolly! (for which he finally won the Tony), Waitress—both on Broadway and the West End—and Into the Woods, which served as his final role on the Great White Way.

After Into the Woods closed, he also launched his own memoiristic show, Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, Off-Broadway.

He also starred in a small handful of films, including Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime and the film version of She Loves Me.

Creel is survived by his parents, Nancy Clemens Creel and James William Creel, and his sisters Heather Elise Creel and Allyson Jo Creel, in addition to Ward.

Next: Kris Kristofferson, Grammy Award-Winning Singer-Songwriter and Actor, Dead at 88