Broadway star Gavin Creel sent a powerful last text to friend Benj Pask before he died, telling him, 'If you are alive, LIVE.'

Broadway stars remember Gavin Creel after his death of a rare cancer. Bette Midler, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Andrew Rannells and Idina Menzel shared tributes.

News of Creel’s passing drew an outpouring of condolences from the New York theater community, including tributes from Ben Platt, Bette Midler and more.

Creel died Sept. 30 at his home in New York City at age 48. He had been diagnosed with metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer in July, his partner, c told The New York Times.

His Hello, Dolly! costar Bette Midler wrote "Beloved by the #Broadway community, the radiant actor #GavinCreel has died from a rare form of cancer. He played Cornelius Hackl to my Dolly in 'Hello Dolly' and I looked forward to working with him every single night. He was fantastic. I can’t believe he’s gone. What a loss."

Creel, who won a Tony Award for his performance in "Hello, Dolly," died on Monday of a rare and aggressive form of cancer.

NEW YORK (AP) — Gavin Creel, a Broadway musical theater veteran who won a Tony Award for “Hello, Dolly!” opposite Bette Midler and earned nominations for “Hair” and “Thoroughly Modern Millie,” died Monday of a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He was 48.

He was honored for a Broadway revival of “Hello, Dolly!” and won an Olivier Award for “The Book of Mormon.” In July, he was diagnosed with a rare cancer.

Gavin Creel, a Tony-winning theater actor known for his work in shows like "Hello, Dolly!" and "Hair," has died. He was 48. Creel died on Monday at his home in New York from metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma,

The Broadway community is mourning the death of actor Gavin Creel, a star who shined on stage for more than 20 years. Creel made his Broadway debut in 2002 and won a Tony Award in 2017 for his role in "Hello Dolly,