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A “shattered” Broadway mourns the loss of Tony winner Gavin Creel. “Into the Woods,” “Waitress” star was 48.

A “shattered” Broadway mourns the loss of Tony winner Gavin Creel. “Into the Woods,” “Waitress” star was 48.

The lights of Broadway mourn one of their own, gone far too soon.

Tony-winning actor and activist Gavin Creel was just 48 when he died on Monday, his partner Alex Temple Ward confirmed to Deadline.

In July, Creel was diagnosed with cancer – metastatic melanotic sarcoma of the peripheral nerve sheath. The actor was admitted to hospice after treatment.

Creel won a 2017 Tony for Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal of Cornelius Hackl opposite Bette Midler and David Hyde Pierce in “Hello, Dolly!”

“I looked forward to working with him every night,” Midler said in an Instagram post. “He was fantastic. I can't believe he's gone. What a loss.”

Creel was also an activist for marriage equality and the LGBTQ+ community as a co-founder of the nonprofit organization Broadway Impact.

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Gavin Creel in 2017 with his Tony for “Hello, Dolly!”Jason Kempin | Getty Images

He received a Tony nomination for his 2002 Broadway debut as Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie.

The Ohio native was also nominated in 2009 for his portrayal of Claude Hooper Bukowski in “Hair.”

He later starred alongside Sara Bareilles in both Waitress (as Dr. Jim Pomatter) and Into the Woods (as the Wolf and Cinderella's Prince).

Creel's other Broadway roles include Elder Price in “The Book of Mormon,” Jean-Michel in “La Cage Aux Folles” and Steven Kodaly in “She Loves Me” opposite Parsippany's Jane Krakowski, also a Tony winner.

He also had roles in the television series “Central Park” and “American Horror Stories” and appeared with Julie Andrews in the films “Eloise at the Plaza” and “Eloise at Christmastime.”

EGOT-winning composer and lyricist Benj Pasek (“Dear Evan Hansen”) shared messages Creel sent him in an Instagram post.

Sara Bareilles & Gavin Creel "waitress" Press Event

Sara Bareilles and Gavin Creel starred in Broadway's “Waitress” and “Into the Woods.”Bruce Glikas | WireImage

“So proud of you for ALIVE,” Creel told Pasek. “Not living is the only thing I have learned so far during this time and that is NEVER AGAIN AN OPTION. Live. When you live LIVE.”

Tony-winning “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda remembered Creel as an important part of the early stages of the musical, as he was the first actor to play the role of King George III. took over.

“Shattered,” he said in an Instagram post. “Gavin Creel was our first King when we only had 11 songs, and he captivated audiences with just a Burger King crown and his overwhelming charisma and talent. He is so loved and it is unimaginable that he is no longer with us. My condolences go out to all the friends, family and co-workers who were lucky enough to be around him. We love you and we will always love you, Gavin.”

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Amy Kuperinsky can be reached at [email protected] and followed at @AmyKup.

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