How did Gavin Creel die? What to know about the rare type of sarcoma

Gavin Creel, the Tony Award-winning Broadway star best known for his performance in “Hello, Dolly!”, has died. “Thoroughly Modern Millie” and “The Book of Mormon.”

Creel died on September 30 at his home in New York City at the age of 48. He was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma peripheral nerve sheath carcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, in July, his partner said. New York Times.

A representative for Creel confirmed the news to TODAY.com.Creel, who was known for his high-energy physical performances and power as a singer, made his Broadway debut in 2002 playing smooth-talking salesman Jimmy Smith opposite Sutton Foster in the original. production of “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” and received a Tony nomination for the role.

He remained an almost constant presence on the Broadway stage, where he received a second Tony nomination for playing hippie leader Claude in the 2009 revival of “Hair,” before winning the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Cornelius Huckle in 2017. The revival of “Hello, Dolly! ” Starring Bette Midler.

“Tony really felt like a hug from the community I had been in for 20 years.” He told the San Francisco Chronicle. “This feels good. I literally can't do anything else in my life and still be a Tony winner. I never will.”

For several years, Creel, who was born in Findlay, Ohio, played the meticulous evangelist Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, embarking on the series' first national tour in 2012, before taking the role to London's West End, where he received an award Olivier in 2014.

Creel has also starred in the Broadway productions of La Cage Aux Folles (2004), She Loves Me (2016), Waitress (2019), and Into the Woods (2022).

In recent years, he appeared on stage in his own Off-Broadway show, Walking Through: Confessions of a Museum Apprentice, which chronicled his love of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Creel has also brought his talents to television several times, appearing in “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime” in 2003, and Ryan Murphy’s “American Horror Stories” in 2021.

Many Broadway Creel stars paid tribute to him on social media.

Sutton Foster shared an affectionate photo of herself and Creel On Instagram“My beautiful friend. I will love you forever,” he wrote.

Josh Gad, who created the role of Elder Arnold Cunningham in The Book of Mormon, shared a different photo of Creel On Instagram“We lost someone so young, so early in his journey who had such a huge impact on our creative community. My heart breaks for his family and closest friends. It's not fair. We will never forget you @realgavincreel,” he wrote.

Idina Menzel also shared a photo of Creel, writing“,”Dear Gavin Creel. An angel among angels. I love you a lot.”

How did Gavin Creel die?

Creel died of a rare and aggressive type of cancer known as metastatic melanocytic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma. He was diagnosed with his condition just two months before his death.

What is metastatic melanocytic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma?

Melanoma peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma is a type of cancerous tumor that begins in the lining of the nerves that connect the spinal cord to the rest of the body. According to the Mayo Clinic. Metastatic means that the cancer has spread beyond its original location in the body, or has spread.

These tumors are rare and can be very aggressive, according to the American Journal of Neuroradiology.

Symptoms of this type of cancer can get worse quickly and include: pain and weakness in the area of ​​the tumor, and increasing swelling under the skin.