Willie Garson dies: Sex and the City and White Collar star was 57

TVLine

Garson died Tuesday. A cause of death wasn't revealed, but TMZ reports he had been battling cancer. Garson’s son Nathen confirmed his father's death on Instagram. “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," Nathan Garson wrote. Garson's death comes as he's been filming the Sex and the City HBO Max revival series And Just Like That, reprising his role as Carrie’s gay best friend Stanford Blatch. Garson is also best known for starring in the USA series White Collar from 2009 to 2014, playing con man Mozzie opposite Matt Bomer. In June, Garson was quoted as saying after the first And Just Like That table read: “I think the feeling was, ‘Oh, my God, this is so weird, right?’ And also, ‘Oh, my God, this is so completely normal.’ So at the same time, this is the weirdest thing ever and this is literally just like, ‘Oh, here we are again. Another terrific episode.'” It's unclear how much of the Sex and the City revival Garson filmed. HBO Max has yet to comment on Garson's death. Garson spoke last month to Us Weekly about Sex and the City and which co-stars were hardest to get along with. Last October, Garson spoke to Page Six about avoiding talking about being straight in real life. “For years I didn’t talk about it because I found it to be offensive to gay people,” he said. “People playing gay characters jumping up and down screaming that they’re not gay, like that would somehow be a bad thing if they were.” In recent years, Garson recurred on Hawaii Five-0, Supergirl and Big Mouth. Hollywood stars paid tribute to Garson. "I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner," tweeted Mario Cantone, who played Stanford’s rival-turned-husband Anthony Marentino on Sex and the City. 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." Julie Bowen posted on Instagram: "This breaks my heart. Willie Garson, a friend who loved me at my worst, (and always let me know it) is gone. Goodbye, Fatty. I love you always." Jason Alexander called Garson a "dear, funny, kind man and delightful actor. Too soon. Rest well."

ALSO:

• Sex and the City boss Michael Patrick King says Willie Garson "gave us his all" filming while sick: “The Sex And The City family has lost one of its own. Our amazing Willie Garson,” the And Just Like That showrunner said in a statement. “His spirit and his 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.”
• Matt Bomer writes "I love you forever" to his White Collar co-star: "Willie. I don’t understand. And it’s not fair," Bomer wrote on Instagram. "This past year, you taught me so much about courage and resilience and love. I still haven’t wrapped my head around a world without you in it- where I can’t call you when I need to laugh, or be inspired. The last thing you did when we said goodbye was pull down your mask (I hate covid), smile, and wink at me. I know that it wasn’t reflective of the pain you were going through, but it was indicative of everything you were and are to me: some one who lifted me up, who made me better, and who always, always made me smile. This also reminded me how strong our White Collar family is. We were all there for Willie, and for each other. I love you forever Willie Garson.  You live on in our hearts and minds always: and your White Collar family is always here for Nathen. I love you forever Willie Garson. You live on in our hearts and minds always: and your White Collar family is always here for Nathen. Save a place for me, because you know I want to be at your table up there."
• Cynthia Nixon remembers Garson: "So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @WillieGarson," she tweeted of her Sex and the City co-star. "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."
• Sex and the City's David Eigenberg tweets of Garson: "Willie …the kindest most beautiful beautiful man. There are none better. Sleep well my friend. You will always be remembered."
• NBC Universal, whose USA Network aired White Collar, wrote: “No matter what project he was on, Willie was always a fan favorite. Nowhere was that more true than on White Collar, where he took the character of Mozzie, an outcast conspiracy theorist, and made him lovable to the core. He will be missed.”
• White Collar creator Jeff Eastin tweets of Garson: "Goodbye my friend. You were the best of us"
• Bryan Fuller recalls working with Garson on Pushing Daisies: "HE WAS ALWAYS IN ON THE JOKE AND WILL BE MISSED BY SO MANY. R.I.P. WILLIE."
• Willie Garson was most proud of his adopted son Nathen: Garson, an adoption advocate, adopted his now-20-year-old son in 2009. “He’s an adult and soon to be taking care of me which is really why I got him to be honest,” Garson told Page Six last year. “He’s lovely and a really special guy. He’s wonderful and he’s in college in Ohio.”
• Sex and the City creator Darren Star describes Garson as "sweet, soulful and hilariously funny": "Willie touched all of us with his big heart and generous spirit," Star says. "The man behind Stanford was a loving father, a mensch to his friends and radiated kindness to all. He is gone much too soon."
• HBO and HBO Max issued a joint statement saying: “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.”
• Kim Cattrall tweets of her former Sex and the City co-star: "Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo"
• Revisiting Stanford Blatch's most iconic moments
• Andy Cohen ended Tuesday's Watch What Happens Live with a tribute to Willie Garson: "Like the rest of the world, I adored Stanford's relationship with Carrie," said Cohen. "Willie Garson was a really nice guy. He was a great guy. And he was a loving and devoted father and he was a great advocate for adoption."