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Sex and the City star Willie Garson dead at 57

Sex and the City star Willie Garson has died at the age of 57, in the midst of filming for the show’s upcoming revival season.

Wenlei MaWenlei Ma
@wenleima
3 min read
September 22, 2021 - 12:45PM
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Sex and the City star Willie Garson has died aged 57.

His death was confirmed to Variety by family members. A cause of death has not been confirmed, but Sex and the City executive producer Michael Patrick King said Garson was not well. Deadline reported Garson had been battling cancer.

Garson is best known for his role as Carrie Bradshaw’s friend Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City. He was set to reprise his character in the upcoming sequel, And Just Like That, which is currently in production in New York City.

Willie Garson was best known as Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City.
Willie Garson was best known as Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City.

King said, “The Sex and the City family has lost one of its own. Our amazing Willie Garson.

“His spirit and dedication to his craft was present everyday 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 our memory of his joy and light.”

Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbs in the series, paid tribute to her co-star.

Kim Cattrall, who was in the original series but will not be appearing in the revival, also tweeted. Cattrall cropped Sarah Jessica Parker, with whom she is feuding, out of the image, which originally featured all three actors.

Earlier this year Garson told Us Weekly of the new Sex and the City instalment, “These are not Sex and the City episodes.

“These are And Just Like That episodes. … It’s an easy thing to talk about, you know — remake, reboot, they use all these horrible words — and for us, I don’t believe it’s either of those things. It’s new episodes about people that we know and their lives now, which has nothing to do possibly with their lives 10 years ago.”

He was pictured last month on the set of the revival:

A statement from Sex and the City and And Just Like That’s US network HBO said, “Willie Garson was in life, as on screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe.

“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.”

Garson was also known for his recurring role in the Matt Bomer series White Collar as a wily crook named Mozzie.

Bomer remembered his co-star on Instagram.

In a 35-year career, he was a prolific presence on American TV, guesting in series including The X-Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Practice, Party of Five, Friends, Two and a Half Men, Spin City, Pushing Daisies, Scandal and Melrose Place.

His film credits included Just Like Heaven, Freaky Friday, The Rock and Mars Attacks!.

Garson’s final tweet, dated September 5, was a plea for kindness:

Garson was born Willie Garson Paszamant in New Jersey and graduated from Wesleyan University and Yale University’s well regarded arts and theatre programs.

He adopted a son, Nathen, in 2009. Nathen paid tribute to his father on Instagram today.

He wrote: “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. 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. You always were the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known. I’m glad you shared you’re love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it.”

Co-stars and celebrities have started to pay tribute, including Sex and the City alums Mario Cantone and David Eigenberg, Jason Alexander, Ben Stiller, Northern Exposure star Rob Morrow and The West Wing actor Dule Hill.

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/sex-and-the-city-star-willie-garson-dead-at-57/news-story/defc556e149c991081bad5d59baf76dd