Broadway is mourning the sudden, tragic loss of Tony winner Gavin Creel, who passed away following a brief battle with cancer September 30 at the age of 48. Friends and fans have been sending the late Broadway icon an outpouring of love since his passing. Playbill wants to contribute in our own way by collecting some of that love along with videos of some of Creel's best and most memorable performances.

As has been said by many, Creel was as talented as he was genuinely kind. The loss is immeasurable. What silver lining can be found is the breadth of artistry he left behind, from cast recordings to solo albums, filmed performances, and more. Join us in paying tribute to Gavin Creel.

Dear Evan Hansen co-writer and fellow University of Michigan alum Benj Pasek shared his final texts from Creel, sharing what he'd learned from his sickness. "Not living is the one thing I have learned so far during this time that is NO LONGER AN OPTION," Creel writes. "If you are alive, LIVE."

Creel's Into the Woods co-star Joshua Henry shared a video of the pair putting a Sam Smith-style flair onto the show's "Stay With Me," filmed backstage at the St. James Theatre. Writes Henry: "We played brothers in Into the Woods where he taught me what complete joy and generosity of spirit meant. I would go home after the show and tell Cathryn about his incredible spirit. Since meeting him in 2007, I always felt a strong connection to him. His artistic freedom and dedication, a desire to make everyone around him feel seen and heard, and a Love for what he did unlike anything I’ve seen, his complex relationship w/ his faith. I’ve prayed to encounter people like Gavin. That’s exactly what he was to everyone- an answered prayer, a dream come true, an honest friend, a fighter, a DREAMER, a doer. He was supposed to be here until at least 90 something… I love you Gavin and your spirit will always Stay With Me."

Telly Leung paid tribute to Creel's work as an educator, sharing that both had considered working to jointly head the University of Michigan's musical theatre program. But, both decided to continue acting, with Creel saying, "Got a few more twirls left in me." Writes Leung: "It’s so shocking you’re gone. You still had twirls to twirl, stories to tell and so many people to inspire with your big talent and your even bigger heart. I assumed you were gonna keep twirling and twirling forever and ever—on stage and in the classroom."

Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster shared this tribute. Both became Broadway stars sharing the stage in Thoroughly Modern Millie. Writes Foster: "My sweet friend. I will love you forever."

"I don’t know anyone who lived more fully, more honestly, more generously, more courageously, more compassionately, more lovingly, all while shining a light through transcendent talents. I have so many thoughts, so many stories, and right now—devastation," wrote Creel's Hello, Dolly! co-star Donna Murphy.

Creel was a frequent and always adored presence on Playbill Travel cruises, as Playbill Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Alex Birsh paid tribute to on Instagram: "There really are only two categories: those who loved Gavin, and those who hadn’t had the chance yet. My heart hurts for both."

It was Creel's kindness that his Book of Mormon co-star Grey Henson remembered. The two co-starred in the musical's national tour, Henson's first job after college: "He was my first friend in the city. The brightest light. The best soul. Magic personified. We’ve all been robbed. I love you, Gav."

Besides reading these written tributes, many are also revisiting Creel's standout performances, clips of which are on YouTube. Below, he sings "Agony" with co-star Jason Forbach, during his final Broadway performance in the 2022 revival of Into the Woods.

Creel brought his characteristic zeal playing the seductive Steven opposite Jane Krakowski's Ilona in the 2016 Broadway revival of She Loves Me. Watch the two sing and dance up a storm in the video below. She Loves Me is available to stream on BroadwayHD.

Creel was a fixture of MCC Theater's annual Miscast gala concert, which features Broadway favorites reaching outside their regular type to perform songs they might not otherwise. In the 2021 virtual edition, Creel duetted on Jekyll & Hyde's "In His Eyes" with fellow Tony winner Aaron Tveit.

He won an Olivier Award in 2014 for his performance as Elder Price in the original London company of The Book of Mormon. See him sing "I Believe" at that year's Oliviers below.

Back with MCC Theater's Miscast, Creel performed "A Quiet Thing" from Flora the Red Menace at the 2019 concert.

In 2016, Creel brought "As If We Never Said Goodbye" from Sunset Boulevard to Miscast.

Creel's family has requested donations to be made in his name to Broadway Cares.