Gavin Creel

Gavin Creel – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

Discover the life and legacy of Gavin Creel — American actor, singer, songwriter, and Broadway star (1976–2024). Learn about his journey on stage, his activism, his philosophy, and his most resonant quotes.

Introduction

Gavin James Creel (April 18, 1976 – September 30, 2024) was an acclaimed American actor, singer, songwriter, librettist, and producer best known for his work on the Broadway stage. His performances in Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hair, The Book of Mormon, and Hello, Dolly! earned him Tony and Olivier recognition, and his artistry was admired by audiences across the globe. Beyond his theatrical gifts, Creel was also a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, co-founding Broadway Impact and engaging with community causes.

Throughout his career, Creel combined bravura singing and deep emotional vulnerability with a commitment to connection and inclusivity. His quotes reflect that vision: that art has the power to change hearts, and that every person deserves a place to belong.

Early Life and Influences

Gavin Creel was born on April 18, 1976, in Findlay, Ohio.

He graduated from Findlay High School in 1994 and went on to study Musical Theatre at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, earning a BFA in 1998.

In early years, regional theatre roles and ensemble work in repertory companies (such as Pittsburgh CLO) provided him with the practical foundation critical to his later breakthroughs.

Career and Achievements

Breakthrough on Broadway

Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002, in Thoroughly Modern Millie, originating the lead role of Jimmy Smith opposite Sutton Foster. That role earned him his first Tony Award nomination.

He continued to build his Broadway résumé with roles in La Cage aux Folles (2004), and later the revival of Hair in 2009, in which he played Claude — again earning Tony nomination recognition.

From 2012 to 2015, Creel starred as Elder Price in The Book of Mormon. He originated the role in the West End production, receiving the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He later reprised the role in the U.S. national tour and on Broadway.

In 2016, he starred as Steven Kodaly in She Loves Me and, in 2017, took on the role of Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly!, a performance that won him the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical.

He also appeared in Waitress (2019 on Broadway, and later West End) and Into the Woods (2022) among other shows.

In 2023–2024, Creel premiered Walk on Through: Confessions of a Museum Novice, a piece he wrote (book, music, lyrics) which debuted Off-Broadway in November 2023.

Screen Work & Recording

Although primarily a stage actor, Creel appeared in screen roles, most notably as Bill in Eloise at the Plaza and Eloise at Christmastime. Goodtimenation and, in 2012, Get Out.

Activism & Legacy

Gavin Creel was openly gay and a vocal advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. He co-founded Broadway Impact (with Rory O’Malley and Jenny Kanelos), an organization mobilizing the theatre community to support same-sex marriage and equality.

His dedication to activism and community engagement was deeply embedded in his artistic life.

Personality, Style & Philosophy

• Creel was known for warmth, humility, and generous spirit — traits frequently remarked upon by colleagues and peers.

• He embraced the power of theatre as change: one of his quotes says, “We have the ability to change people’s minds and hearts — that’s what we want to do with theatre. That’s what theatre does… period.”

• He resisted being boxed into categories. “I’m sick of people putting boxes around everyone, telling you where and how you have to fit in.”

• He acknowledged the struggle of finding one’s authentic voice in an industry defined by roles and auditions:

  “To be an actor, it’s really tough to find your own voice because you’re always tied to other characters … hoping they’ll pick you.”

• He valued process, kindness, and community over fame alone, often reminding himself and others of the importance of making meaningful work.

Famous Quotes by Gavin Creel

Here is a selection of impactful quotes from Gavin Creel:

• “We have the ability to change people’s minds and hearts — that’s what we want to do with theatre. That’s what theatre does… period.”

• “When people smile in your direction when you do something, you tend to continue to do it.”

• “I’m sick of people putting boxes around everyone, telling you where and how you have to fit in.”

• “To be an actor, it’s really tough to find your own voice because you’re always tied to other characters … hoping they’ll pick you.”

• “Musical theater has sort of always been there for me, but I haven’t always treated it with the same reverence as it’s treated me.”

• “I don’t want to fit in. I want to make music that can reach out to people of all different ages and backgrounds and beliefs.”

• “It doesn’t inspire young men and women struggling with their own sexuality to be confident in who they are if I’m not confident in who I am.”

These lines reveal his belief in the transformative power of art, in authenticity, and in refusing to accept limiting roles — both on stage and in life.

Lessons from Gavin Creel

1. Art as bridge and catalyst
   Creel believed deeply that theatre and performance are means to shift minds, open empathy, and build connection.

2. Stay true to voice
   Even in an industry of roles, he strove to maintain integrity, to create, and to speak from within, not just for applause.

3. Courage in identity
   His openness about being gay and his activism provided visibility and support in a field where sexual identity can still be fraught.

4. Kindness matters
   He often emphasized that his biggest strengths were kindness, being easy to work with, and being a team player.

5. Create your own work
   With Walk on Through, he demonstrated that artists can (and perhaps should) initiate their own projects and narratives rather than wait for permission.

End of Life and Legacy

Tragically, in July 2024, Gavin Creel was diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.

His death sparked widespread tributes across the theatre community. Broadway and West End theatres dimmed their lights in his honor.

His musical Walk on Through continues to live as a testament to his creative spirit.

In his passing, Gavin Creel left behind a legacy of joy, daring, empathy, and a belief that art can — and should — matter.