Late Sex And The City star Willie Garson was honoured by his co-stars Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall among a legion of other stars after his death aged 57, following a cancer battle.
Cynthia, who played Miranda Hobbs on the show, gushed over Willie, who starred as ‘gay talent agent’ Stanford Blatch, and spoke of how ‘endlessly funny he was on-screen and in real life,’ while Kim, who played the fiery Samantha Jones, called his passing: ‘A terribly sad loss for the SATC family’.
Willie’s son Nathen confirmed the news on Instagram on Tuesday, while another family member spoke to Variety. A TMZ source claimed the actor had been ‘battling cancer’ prior to his death.
Touching: Late Sex And The City star Willie Garson was honoured by his co-stars Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall (left-right) among a legion of other stars after his death aged 57, following a cancer battle
Cynthia, 55, published her homage to Garson on Instagram, which included a snap of the pair attending a premiere party for Sex And The City’s sixth and final season in 2003.
She wrote: ‘So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @Willie.Garson. We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and in real life. He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional— always.’
The latter half of her tribute was directed towards Willie’s 20-year-old son Nathen, who the actor adopted in 2009. She wrote: ‘My heart goes out to his son, @Nathen_Garson. Nathen, I hope you know how much he loved you and how proud he was to be your dad’.
Kim’s post was much shorter, but captured the feeling felt by so many who adored Sex And The City and the performances Garson contributed. In her Twitter post, the star, 65, penned: ‘Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo’.
RIP: His son Nathen confirmed the new on Instagram, while another family member spoke to Variety on Tuesday. A TMZ source claimed the actor had been ‘battling cancer’ prior to his death (Willie pictured with Nathen in 2019, left and in February last year, right)
Deeply saddened: Nixon, 55, published her homage to Garson on Instagram, where she called the actor a ‘source of light’ and someone who ‘was endlessly funny on-screen and in real life’
Loss: Kim’s post was much shorter, but captured the feeling felt by so many who adored Sex And The City and the performances Garson contributed to it
Working: Garson was last spotted on set of the project on July 24, where he was seen sharing sweet moments with Sarah and on-screen husband Mario Cantone on the streets of NYC (pictured)
Series lead Sarah Jessica Parker and costar Kristin Davis have yet to issue public statements.
Prior to his passing, Willie was hard at work on the set of the highly-anticipated SATC reboot, which takes a look back on the beloved characters and how they’ve faired since the 2010 feature film Sex And The City 2.
Garson was last spotted on set of the project on July 24, where he was seen sharing sweet moments with Sarah and on-screen husband Mario Cantone on the streets of NYC.
Mario, whose character Anthony Marentino married Stanford in the second SATC movie, was the first cast member to comment on the star’s death, writing that he ‘couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner’ than Garson.
The 61-year-old, who included a shot of him and Willie at the premiere of Sex And The City 2, wrote: ‘I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods sweet Willie. Rest …I love you’.
No better partner: Mario, whose character Anthony Marentino married Stanford in the second SATC movie, was the first cast member to comment on the star’s death, writing that he ‘couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner’ than Garson
Devastated: The 61-year-old, who included a shot of him and Willie at the premiere of Sex And The City 2, wrote: ‘I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods sweet Willie. Rest …I love you’
Heartbroken: ‘Willie,’ wrote Chris Noth on Instagram, followed by a bright red heart emoji and a broken heart emoji.
Throwback: Noth, 66, also included a snap of Sarah Jessica Parker and Willie filming a scene for the Sex And The City movie in 2007 (pictured)
Chris Noth, who plays Mr. Big, shared a throwback photo of Parker and Garson filming for a scene for the Sex And The City movie in 2007. The 66-year-old star simply wrote: ‘Willie’ with by a red heart and a broken heart emoji.
Evan Handler, who played Charlotte’s divorce attorney husband Harry Goldenblatt, called Willie ‘a consumate funny man’ and ‘a prince, the Mayor of every group he ever existed within, and – mostly importantly – a parent. My heart grieves for his son.’
David Eigenberg – who plays bar owner Steve Brady – called the Yale School of Drama grad ‘the kindest most beautiful beautiful man’ and tweeted: ‘Sleep well my friend. You will always be remembered’
Willie’s son Nathen took to Instagram to pen a letter to his now deceased father, who he deemed ‘the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known.’
‘We’ve lost a consummate funny – and family – man, and they were in short enough supply already’: Evan Handler – who plays attorney Harry Goldenblatt – posted a snap of him putting up the dukes with Willie, whom he dubbed ‘The Mayor’
Funnyman: Evan Handler, who played Charlotte’s divorce attorney husband Harry Goldenblatt, called Willie ‘a consumate funny man’ and ‘a prince, the Mayor of every group he ever existed within, and – mostly importantly – a parent. My heart grieves for his son’
David Eigenberg – who plays bar owner Steve Brady – called the Yale School of Drama grad ‘the kindest most beautiful beautiful man’ and tweeted: ‘Sleep well my friend. You will always be remembered’
The 20-year-old, along with his heartfelt words, included some of his favorite images of Willie, as well as a video of the performer taking a playful stab at the trombone.
‘I love you so much papa. Rest In Peace and I’m so glad you got to share all your adventures with me and were able to accomplish so much. I’m so proud of you,’ Nathen began.
‘I will always love you, but I think it’s time for you to go on an adventure of your own. You’ll always be with me. Love you more than you will ever know and I’m glad you can be at peace now.
To Dad: Willie’s son Nathen took to Instagram to pen a letter to his now deceased father, who he deemed ‘the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known’
Favorites: The 20-year-old, along with his heartfelt words, included some of his favorite images of Willie
‘You always were the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known. I’m glad you shared you[r] love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it,’ he concluded.
Last year, Willie spoke to Page Six about his love of being a father, as he gushed: ‘He’s an adult and soon to be taking care of me which is really why I got him to be honest. He’s lovely and a really special guy. He’s wonderful and he’s in college in Ohio…
‘I had a long relationship off and on for like 20 years, and she never wanted to have a child, which is fine. And it was like my mid-life crisis. Like, I really wanted a child more than anything else. And I got one and we’re partners, my kid and I.’
Proud: ‘I love you so much papa. Rest In Peace and I’m so glad you got to share all your adventures with me and were able to accomplish so much. I’m so proud of you,’ Nathen began
Playful side: Nathen also uploaded a video of the performer taking a playful stab at the trombone
Always with him: ‘I will always love you, but I think it’s time for you to go on an adventure of your own. You’ll always be with me. Love you more than you will ever know and I’m glad you can be at peace now’
Tributes continues to flood in, including a note from Sex And The City producer Michael Patrick Williams, who is also involved in the forthcoming reboot, as he reiterated Kim Cattrall’s earlier sentiment by stating to Variety that ‘The Sex And The City family has lost one of its own.’
He said: ‘Our amazing Willie Garson. His spirit and his dedication to his craft was present every day filming ‘And Just Like That. He was there — giving us his all — even while he was sick. His multitude of gifts as an actor and person will be missed by everyone. In this sad, dark moment, we are comforted by memory of his joy and light’.
HBO issued a statement, which confirmed the White Collar actor’s and remarked on the ‘bright light’ he was on and off the screen. Bosses at the network penned: ‘Willie Garson was in life, as on screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe…
Bringing her vision to life: Candace Bushnell, whose book Sex And The City is entirely based on, praised Willie for bringing her character Stanford Blatch ‘to life so beautifully’
Dedicated: ‘Our amazing Willie Garson. His spirit and his dedication to his craft was present every day filming ‘And Just Like That,” said executive producer Michael Patrick Williams in a statement to Variety; Sarah and Willie pictured on July 24
‘He created one of the most beloved characters from the HBO pantheon and was a member of our family for nearly twenty-five years. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.’
Sex And The City author Candace Bushnell uploaded an image of Willie on set of the series’ revival alongside an impassioned caption reading: ‘Rest in Peace #WillieGarson. Stanford Blatch is so beloved to me and Willie brought him to life so beautifully. What a gift to us all.’
Speaking to PEOPLE, Jason Lewis, who played Jerry “Smith” Jerrod, said: ‘There is a little less joy in the world and it’s a bit grayer with the light that was Willie Garson having gone out. He had a wonderful and playful spirit, and I’m grateful that I had the opportunity to know it.’
Dear friend: Modern Family’s Julie Bowen expressed heartbreak as she informed her Twitter following that ‘Willie Garson, a friend who loved me at my worst, (and always let me know it) is gone’
Memorable moment: In a follow-up post shared to her Instagram, the actress recalled Garson attending her 2004 wedding and poking fun at the fact that she’d scheduled during Emmy Awards weekend
Rest easy: ‘Rest easy sweet @WillieGarson…I am so glad I told you I adored you before you left #rip,’ tweeted out actress Joely Fisher, who included a headshot of Garson’s in her post
Recollection: Kathy Griffin, sharing the final tweet Garson had published on September 4, recalled meeting the talent during their early acting days in the 1990s
Modern Family’s Julie Bowen expressed heartbreak as she informed her Twitter following: ‘Willie Garson, a friend who loved me at my worst, (and always let me know it) is gone.’
In a follow-up post shared to her Instagram, the actress recalled Garson attending her 2004 wedding and poking fun at the fact that she’d scheduled during Emmy Awards weekend.
Alongside a snap of her planting a kiss on Willie’s cheek, she penned: ‘He came to my wedding – begrudgingly. ‘Who gets married on Emmy weekend?’. I loved this guy’.
Actress Joely Fisher, who included a headshot of Garson’s in her post and wrote: ‘Rest easy sweet @WillieGarson…I am so glad I told you I adored you before you left #rip’.
Loved his aura: Jennifer Tilly said she ‘always loved being around’ Willie because ‘he was so funny and amiable,’ adding that ‘if you were sitting next to him at a party or a Poker game you knew it would always be a good time’
Bond: My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s Nia Vardalos explained to her Instagram followers that her and Garson bonded of their shared experience with adoption, with him having adopted a son and her a daughter
Respected: Ben Stiller sent love to Willie’s son, telling the young man that his ‘dad was strong and respected in his community of fellow actors and his philanthropy was constant and committed’
Kathy Griffin, sharing the final tweet Garson had published on September 4, recalled meeting the talent during their early acting days in the 1990s. She penned: ‘We met on the ‘best friend of lead character’ tv audition circuit a million years ago. This was his last tweet to us’.
Jennifer Tilly said she ‘always loved being around’ Willie because ‘he was so funny and amiable,’ adding that ‘if you were sitting next to him at a party or a Poker game you knew it would always be a good time.’
My Big Fat Greek Wedding’s Nia Vardalos explained to her Instagram followers that her and Garson bonded of their shared experience with adoption, with him having adopted a son and her a daughter.
She revealed that they would host fundraisers together, the last in November of 2020, with the intent of ‘raising awareness about children in foster care and raising money to get them adopted.’
Too soon: Seinfeld star Jason Alexander described Willie as ‘a dear, funny, kind man and a delightful actor’ who passed ‘too soon’
Kind heart: Mia Farrow thanked the SATC star for his ‘kind heart,’ before wishing him to ‘rest in peace’
Gutted: Daniel Dae Kim tweeted out to his 247,000 Twitter followers that he was ‘gutted by this news’ of Garson’s sudden death
Ben Stiller sent love to Willie’s son, telling the young man that his ‘dad was strong and respected in his community of fellow actors and his philanthropy was constant and committed.
The 55-year-old actor, who starred alongside Garson in the 1998 comedy There’s Something About Mary, penned: ‘I’m grateful I knew him. He was also really really funny’.
Seinfeld star Jason Alexander described Willie as ‘a dear, funny, kind man and a delightful actor’ who passed ‘too soon.’
Mia Farrow thanked the SATC star for his ‘kind heart,’ before wishing him to ‘rest in peace.’
Really gonna miss him: Mary McCormack uploaded a selfie she had taken with Willie and wrote that she was ‘really gonna miss this sweet funny talented friend. Rest in peace @WillieGarson’
Wonderful person: While expressing her sadness, comedian Judy Gold informed her followers that Willie was ‘such a wonderful person’ and a ‘bright light’ in the industry
Daniel Dae Kim tweeted to his 247,000 Twitter followers that he was ‘gutted by this news’ of Garson’s sudden death. He wrote: ‘@WillieGarson was a talented actor and such a loving, devoted father. Rest In Peace, my friend. And peace, love and blessings to you, dear Nathan.’
Mary McCormack uploaded a selfie she had taken with Willie and wrote that she was ‘really gonna miss this sweet funny talented friend. Rest in peace @WillieGarson’
While expressing her sadness, comedian Judy Gold informed her Twitter followers that Willie was ‘such a wonderful person’ and a ‘bright light’ in the industry.
She wrote: ‘One of the good ones and an incredible talent. He was most proud of being a father. I will miss him. Rest In Peace. #TooSoon’.
Supportive: ‘RIP Willie Garson. Such a lovely, encouraging, supportive person,’ tweeted comedian/host Billy Eichner, followed by a broken heart emoji
Sending love: ‘I’m heartbroken to hear of Willie Garson’s passing. He was always the funniest person in the room. And the kindest. He was sharp, creative and so enthusiastic. He is gone far too soon. I’m sending all my love to Nathen,’ wrote Willie’s White Collar costar Bridget Regan
Speechless: Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus uploaded Willie’s image to his Instagram Story with a heart emoji placed above it
Comedian/host Billy Eichner, used by a broken heart emoji and wrote: ‘RIP Willie Garson. Such a lovely, encouraging, supportive person’.
Bridget Regan shared images of herself and Willie working on the set of their series White Collar, which ran on the USA Network from 2009 until 2014 and wrote: ‘I’m heartbroken to hear of Willie Garson’s passing. He was always the funniest person in the room. And the kindest. He was sharp, creative and so enthusiastic. He is gone far too soon. I’m sending all my love to Nathen’.
Walking Dead’s Norman Reedus uploaded Willie’s image to his Instagram Story with a heart emoji placed above it.
During Tuesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen dedicated the evening’ mazel to Willie, who the host described as a ‘really nice guy’ and someone who will be ‘really missed.’
Mazel: During Tuesday’s episode of Watch What Happens Live, Andy Cohen dedicated the evening’ mazel to Willie, who the host described as a ‘really nice guy’ and someone who will be ‘really missed’
His character Stanford was a ‘gay talent agent’ and close friend of Carrie’s who often struggled to overcome insecurities around dating in the big city.
Along with being apart of the beloved series, Garson also appeared in the first Sex And The City feature film in 2008 and its sequel, titled Sex and the City 2, in 2010.
With SATC soon making a return on HBO Max with the reboot And Just Like That…, Willie expressed excitement over ‘stepping into the shoes again’ in an interview with Us Weekly in June.
‘It didn’t hit me until I was in wardrobe yesterday and it was, like, literally stepping into the shoes again,’ he told the outlet of his first day on set.
Troubles: His character Stanford was a ‘gay talent agent’ and close friend of Carrie’s who often struggled to overcome insecurities around dating in the big city (pictured in 1998)
‘It was great. I was just telling my friends … that I probably was wearing about $200,000 worth of clothing yesterday. And it was right away. It’s like, “Oh, this is us, here we are.”‘
Garson was born and raised in New Jersey and, according to Variety, studied theater at Wesleyan University and received a Master of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama.
He now boasts 170 acting credits, and has appeared in a plethora of other highly regarded television shows and films over the span of his impressive Hollywood career.
Following his graduation, Garson took on a number of small roles in popular 80s television shows like Cheers, Family Ties and LA Law.
Happier times: Willie is pictured with his on-screen husband in the first Sex And The City movie
He also graced television screens in 1993 on the crime-drama series NYPD Blue, which ran for 12 seasons on ABC, and famously starred in the USA series White Collar, which ran six seasons on the cable network from 2009 to 2014.
The following year, Garson joined CBS’ reboot of Hawaii Five-O, which aired its final season last year, as the character Gerald Hirsch.
Most recently, he had a recurring role on the CW series Supergirl and lent his voice acting chops to Netflix’s animated show Big Mouth.
Garson also had roles in a number of popular movies like 1998’s There’s Something About Mary, the Billy Murray-led feature Groundhog Day, and the multi Academy Award nominated film Being John Malkovich – just to name a few.
Beloved: His character’s wisecracks and kooky ensembles made him one of the show’s most beloved additions