In wake of Willie Garson’s tragic passing, many of the Sex And The City star’s castmates, including series regulars Cynthia Nixon and Kim Cattrall, have taken to social media to pay tribute.
Nixon gushed over how ‘endlessly funny’ he was ‘on-screen and in real life,’ while Cattrall called his passing ‘a terribly sad loss for the SATC family.’
A family member of Garson’s confirmed the news to Variety on Tuesday, while a TMZ source claimed the 57-year-old had been ‘battling cancer’ prior to his death.
RIP: In wake of Willie Garson’s tragic passing, many of the 57-year-old actor’s Sex And The City costars and longtime friends have taken to social media to pay tribute to his life and legacy; seen in February 2020
Nixon, 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.
‘So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @Willie.Garson,’ the actress began. ‘We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and in real life.’
She continued: ‘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.
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’
Memory lane: She included a photo of herself and Willie at the premiere party for Sex And The City’s sixth and final season in 2003 (pictured)
‘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 concluded.
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.
‘Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo,’ penned the 65-year-old, who shared her post to Twitter.
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
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 comedian Mario Cantone on the streets of NYC.
He famously played the role of ‘gay talent agent’ Stanford Blatch, who was the male BFF of SJP’s Carrie Bradshaw.
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)
No better partner: Mario Cantone was the first SATC cast member to comment publicly on the star’s death, writing that he ‘couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner’ than Garson.
Devastated: ‘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,’ concluded the 61-year-old, who included a shot of him and Willie at the premiere of Sex And The City 2 (pictured)
Chris Noth, who plays the infamous Mr. Big, shared a throwback photo of Parker and Garson filming for a scene for the Sex And The City movie in 2007.
‘Willie,’ the 66-year-old star wrote, followed by a bright red heart emoji and a broken heart emoji.
Mario Cantone was the first SATC cast member to comment publicly on the star’s death, writing that he ‘couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner’ than Garson.
‘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,’ concluded the 61-year-old, who included a shot of him and Willie at the premiere of Sex And The City 2.
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’
Bonded: Garson adopted Nathen in 2009; the pair pictured in 2019
Favorites: The 20-year-old, along with his heartfelt words, included some of his favorite images of Willie
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.’
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.
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’
‘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.
Sex And The City producer Michael Patrick Williams, who is also involved in the forthcoming reboot, reiterated Kim Cattrall’s earlier sentiment by stating to Variety that ‘The Sex And The City family has lost one of its own.’
He continued: ‘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 our memory of his joy and light,’ Michael concluded.
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’
Working: 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; seen with Mario Cantone and Sarah Jessica Parker in July
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
HBO also issued a statement, which confirmed the White Collar actor’s and remarked on the ‘bright light’ he was on and off the screen.
“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,’ the network wrote
‘We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.’
Candace Bushnell, whose book Sex And The City is entirely based on, uploaded a recent image of Willie on set of the series’ revival to Twitter.
‘Rest in Peace #WillieGarson,’ began the author. ‘Stanford Blatch is so beloved to me and Willie brought him to life so beautifully. What a gift to us all.’
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 that ‘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.
‘He came to my wedding – begrudgingly. “Who gets married on Emmy weekend?”. I loved this guy,’ captioned Bowen, alongside a snap of her planting a kiss on Willie’s cheek.
‘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.
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.
‘We met on the “best friend of lead character” tv audition circuit a million years ago. This was his last tweet to us,’ wrote the comedian.
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.
‘I’m grateful I knew him. He was also really really funny,’ concluded the 55-year-old actor, who starred alongside Garson in the 1998 comedy There’s Something About Mary.
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
Supportive: ‘RIP Willie Garson. Such a lovely, encouraging, supportive person,’ tweeted comedian/host Billy Eichner, followed by a broken heart emoji
Daniel Dae Kim tweeted out to his 247,000 Twitter followers that he was ‘gutted by this news’ of Garson’s sudden death.
He continued: ‘@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.
‘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,’ she concluded.
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
‘RIP Willie Garson. Such a lovely, encouraging, supportive person,’ tweeted comedian/host Billy Eichner, followed by a broken heart emoji.
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.
‘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,’ the actress penned.