Willie Garson’s cause of death has been publicly confirmed.
The actor, who famously played Carrie Bradshaw’s best friend Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City, passed away on Tuesday.
According to an obituary published by The New York Times today, the 57-year-old died of pancreatic cancer.
His obituary read: “William Garson. William Garson Paszamant, better known as Willie Garson to his many fans and throughout the entertainment industry, noted actor of stage, film, and television, has died at age 57 at his home in Los Angeles. The cause was pancreatic cancer.”
The touching obituary also detailed the father-of-one’s professional life.
It read: “At an early age, he knew he was an actor, and had an agent by the time he graduated high school.”
“He went to Wesleyan University for his Bachelor of Arts college degree in theatre and psychology. He moved to Los Angeles at age twenty-one, and within a year, had become what he was destined to be, a working actor.”
After the news of his death broke on Wednesday, a host of SATC stars paid tribute to Willie on social media – including Cynthia Nixon, Kristin Davis, Kim Cattrall, Mario Cantone and Chris Noth.
Mario Cantone, who played Willie’s on-screen husband Anthony Marentino in SATC, took to Twitter to pay tribute to the star.
He wrote: “I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner. I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon.”
“You were a gift from the gods. Rest my sweet friend. I love you.”
I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner. I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods. Rest my sweet friend. I love you. pic.twitter.com/Ia4tg1VK1Y
— Mario Cantone (@macantone) September 22, 2021
Kim Cattrall, who played Samantha Jones in the original series, tweeted: “Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo”
Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbes in the show, wrote: “So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @WillieGarson. We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and and in real life. He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional— always.”
“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.”
Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo pic.twitter.com/yXhPkxRTv3
— Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall) September 22, 2021
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.
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) September 22, 2021
SATC creator Darren Star penned: “Sweet, soulful and hilariously funny, Willie touched all of us with his big heart and generous spirit. The man behind Stanford was a loving father, a mensch to his friends and radiated kindness to all. He is gone much too soon.”
Chris Noth, who plays Mr. Big on the show, took to Instagram to share a photo of Willie with Sarah Jessica Parker, and wrote: “Willie❤️💔”
Evan Handler, who plays Charlotte York’s husband Harry Goldenblatt, tweeted: “This is a tragedy for the entire #SATC #AJLT family, for Willie’s family, and for the world.”
“Willie was a prince, the Mayor of every group he ever existed within, and – most importantly – a parent. My heart grieves for his son. A consumate funny man. Bless you.”
This is a tragedy for the entire #SATC #AJLT family, for Willie’s family, and for the world.
Willie was a prince, the Mayor of every group he ever existed within, and – most importantly – a parent. My heart grieves for his son.
A consumate funny man. Bless you. https://t.co/8ssxxG69tU
— Evan Handler (@EvanHandler) September 22, 2021
Though Willie played an openly gay man on Sex and the City, he identified as straight.
The actor adopted his son Nathen, who was seven at the time, in 2009.
Willie’s heartbreaking last tweet, which was sent on September 5, read: “BE KIND TO EACH OTHER……ALWAYS. LOVE TO ALL. APRROACH KINDNESS.”
BE KIND TO EACH OTHER……ALWAYS. LOVE TO ALL. APRROACH KINDNESS.
— Willie Garson 🇺🇸 (@WillieGarson) September 5, 2021
