Creel died Sept. 30 at his home in New York City at age 48. He had been diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer in July, his partner, c told The New York Times.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - After Gavin Creel won the Tony Award for his lead role in “Hello, Dolly!”, an interviewer asked him about his time studying at the University of Michigan. “I think the best thing I learned at the University of Michigan is to truly appreciate the history of the art form,” he said, while wearing a silver tuxedo and the award in hand.

Creel played Steven Kodaly in the 2016 production of "She Loves Me" at Studio 54. The following season, Creel was tapped for the role of Cornelius Hackl, opposite legends Midler and David Hyde Pierce, in the smash 2017 revival of "Hello, Dolly!" directed by Jerry Zaks, winning the Tony for best featured actor in a musical.