Gavin James Creel April 18, 1976 – September 30, 2025 was an acclaimed American actor, singer, and songwriter, celebrated for his work in musical theater. Throughout his career, he earned numerous prestigious awards, including a Grammy, Tony, Drama Desk Award, and Laurence Olivier Award. Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002 as Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie, followed by his Tony Award-nominated performance as Claude in the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair. He later portrayed Elder Price in The Book of Mormon from 2012 to 2015, receiving a Laurence Olivier Award for his role in the West End production. In 2017, Creel won a Tony Award for his performance as Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly!.
Gavin Creel Biography 2025
Other highlights of his stage career include performances in La Cage aux Folles (2004), She Loves Me (2016), Waitress (2019), and Into the Woods (2022) on Broadway, as well as Mary Poppins (2006), Hair (2010), and Waitress (2020) in the West End. He also toured nationally with Fame (1998) and Into the Woods (2023). While primarily known for his theater work, Creel’s screen credits include his role as Bill in Eloise at the Plaza and its Christmas sequel.
Gavin Creel Details
| Born |
Gavin James Creel
April 18, 1976
Findlay, Ohio, U.S.
|
| Died |
September 30, 2025 (aged 48)
New York City, U.S.
|
| Alma mater |
University of Michigan (BFA) |
| Occupations |
- Actor
- singer
- songwriter
- librettist
- producer
|
| Years active |
1997–2025 |
| Genres |
|
| Instrument |
|
| Website |
www.gavincreel.com |
Gavin Creel Early Life
Creel was born in Findlay, Ohio, on April 18, 1976, and grew up in a deeply religious household, which he found alienating. He turned to theater as a means of escape. He graduated from Findlay High School in 1994 and went on to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theater from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance in 1998.
Gavin Creel’s Broadway Debut and Career Milestones
| Performance Year |
Role |
| 2002 |
Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie |
| 2004 |
Jean-Michel in La Cage aux Folles |
| 2009 |
Claude in Hair |
| 2012–2015 |
Elder Price in The Book of Mormon |
| 2017 |
Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! |
| 2019 |
Dr. Pomatter in Waitress |
| 2022 |
The Wolf & Cinderella’s Prince in Into the Woods |
Broadway and West End Roles
| Production |
Role Played |
| Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Jimmy Smith |
| La Cage aux Folles |
Jean-Michel |
| Hair (West End & Broadway) |
Claude |
| The Book of Mormon |
Elder Price |
| Hello, Dolly! |
Cornelius Hackl |
| She Loves Me |
Steven Kodaly |
| Waitress (West End & Broadway) |
Dr. Pomatter |
| Into the Woods |
The Wolf/Cinderella’s Prince |
Gavin Creel’s Career Breakthroughs
| Show/Production |
Award/Recognition |
| Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Tony Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical |
| Hair |
Tony Award Nomination for Best Actor in a Musical |
| The Book of Mormon |
Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical |
| Hello, Dolly! |
Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical |
Gavin Creel’s Film and Television Appearances
| Film/Television |
Role |
| Eloise at the Plaza |
Bill |
| Eloise at Christmastime |
Bill |
| American Horror Story (2021) |
Various Roles |
| *PBS Concert for Wicked (2021) |
Performer |
Gavin Creel Influence on LGBT Rights and Activism
| LGBT Activism Initiative |
Role/Contribution |
| Broadway Impact |
Co-Founder, LGBT Rights Group |
| RFamily Vacations Cruises |
Regular Participant |
| Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS |
Board of Trustees (2015–2025) |
Personal Life
| Partner/Relationship |
Details |
| Jonathan Groff (2009) |
Former Partner, Fellow Actor |
| Henry Gottfried |
Former Partner |
| Alex Temple Ward |
Partner at the time of Creel’s death |
Gavin Creel Health and Illness
| Year |
Health Issue |
| 2025 |
Diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma |
| 2025 |
Passed away on September 30, 2025, from cancer |
Legacy and Tributes to Gavin Creel
| Event |
Tribute/Recognition |
| Broadway Theaters |
Dimming of lights in tribute to Creel’s passing |
| London |
Candlelight vigil at the Actors’ Church in Covent Garden |
| Hello, Dolly! Cast |
Pay tribute to Creel during his final performance |
Gavin Creel’s Major Awards and Nominations
| Award |
Production |
| Tony Award |
Hello, Dolly! |
| Laurence Olivier Award |
The Book of Mormon (West End) |
| Grammy Award |
Various Contributions |
| Drama Desk Award |
Various Performances |
Gavin Creel’s Musical Contributions
| Album/Production |
Details |
| Goodtimenation |
Creel’s debut studio album (2006) |
| Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice |
Self-written musical (2023) |
| Into the Woods |
Musical Revival (2022–2023, National Tour) |
Theater Collaborations with Gavin Creel
| Production |
Collaborators |
| Thoroughly Modern Millie |
Sutton Foster |
| Hair |
Will Swenson, Caissie Levy |
| The Book of Mormon |
Josh Gad, Andrew Rannells |
| Hello, Dolly! |
Bette Midler, Bernadette Peters |
| She Loves Me |
Jane Krakowski |
Gavin Creel Impact on Broadway Live Streaming
| Broadway Show |
Impact/Contribution |
| She Loves Me |
First Broadway show ever to be live-streamed |
Gavin Creel’s Awards for Acting
| Award |
Category |
| Tony Award |
Best Featured Actor in a Musical (2017) |
| Laurence Olivier Award |
Best Actor in a Musical (2014) |
| Drama Desk Award |
Best Actor in a Musical (various nominations) |
Tributes to Gavin Creel after His Passing
| Location |
Tribute Type |
| Broadway Theaters |
Dimming of lights |
| London’s Actors’ Church |
Candlelight vigil |
Gavin Creel’s Career
| Aspect |
Details |
| Career Highlights |
Tony Award winner, Broadway star in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Book of Mormon, Hello, Dolly! and Into the Woods |
| Advocacy |
Prominent LGBT rights activist and co-founder of Broadway Impact |
| Final Role |
Last performed in Into the Woods national tour (2023) |
| Legacy |
Remembered for his immense talent, activism, and the lasting impact he made on musical theater |
Gavin Creel Net Worth
Gavin Creel’s net worth was estimated to be around $3 million.
Gavin Creel Summary
Gavin Creel (1976–2025) was an American actor, singer, and songwriter celebrated for his work in musical theater, with notable performances in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Book of Mormon, and Hello, Dolly!. He won a Tony Award and received other accolades, including a Laurence Olivier Award. Creel was an outspoken advocate for LGBT rights, co-founding Broadway Impact and supporting causes like marriage equality. His career also spanned film and television, with appearances in Eloise at the Plaza and American Horror Story. Creel passed away in 2025 after a battle with cancer, leaving a lasting legacy in theater and activism.
