Gavin Creel

Gavin James Creel (April 18, 1976 – September 30, 2024) was an American actor, singer, and songwriter best known for his musical theater work. Over his career, he earned a Grammy Award, a Tony Award, two Drama Desk Awards, and a Laurence Olivier Award. His career included major roles on Broadway, in London's West End, and on national tours.

Creel was born in Findlay, Ohio, where he grew up in a devoutly religious environment that he found alienating, leading him to theater as an escape. He graduated from Findlay High School in 1994 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance in 1998.

His professional career began in regional theater, including 1997 and 1998 seasons with Pittsburgh CLO in productions like Kiss Me Kate, La Cage aux Folles, and On the Town. Following college, Creel played Nick Piazza on the 1998 national tour of Fame before moving to New York City. He served as a swing in the 2001 Off-Broadway production of Bat Boy: The Musical and made his Broadway debut in 2002 originating Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie, earning his first Tony Award nomination.

Creel returned to Broadway in the 2004 revival of La Cage aux Folles as Jean-Michel. He earned a second Tony nomination starring as Claude in the 2009 Broadway revival of Hair, later moving with the cast to the West End. Between 2012 and 2015, he played Elder Price in The Book of Mormon on tour, in the West End, and on Broadway. His West End performance earned him the 2014 Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He later played Steven Kodaly in the 2016 Broadway revival of She Loves Me and Cornelius Hackl in the 2017 Broadway revival of Hello, Dolly!, winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical.

His other stage work included playing Bert in Mary Poppins in the West End in 2006, Dr. Pomatter in Waitress on Broadway and in the West End, and The Wolf and Cinderella's Prince in Into the Woods on Broadway and on tour. In 2023, Creel's self-written musical, Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, premiered Off-Broadway. Screen acting roles included Bill in Eloise at the Plaza and its sequel, as well as an appearance in American Horror Stories.

Creel was also an advocate for gay rights, co-founding Broadway Impact to mobilize the theater community for marriage equality and serving on the board of trustees for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. Creel died from metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma at his home in Manhattan on September 30, 2024, at the age of 48.