5 Profound Moments: Jonathan Groff’s Final, Touching Messages With Late Ex Gavin Creel And Their Shared Broadway Legacy

The relationship between Broadway icons Jonathan Groff and Gavin Creel was one of profound connection, professional parallels, and enduring love. In a heartbreaking yet beautiful revelation, Groff recently shared the intimate details of his final conversation with Creel, his ex-boyfriend and friend, who tragically passed away in September 2024. This story, shared by Groff in late 2024/early 2025, has offered fans a bittersweet glimpse into the deep bond between the two Tony Award winners, highlighting a moment of closure that Groff is eternally grateful for.

The news of Creel's passing from a rare form of cancer sent shockwaves through the theatre community, but Groff's subsequent public tribute has cemented their story as a powerful narrative of love, friendship, and legacy. Their careers were intertwined, their paths frequently crossing, and their personal connection was a foundational part of Groff's journey, making his recent reflections all the more poignant and essential to understanding the man and the star.

The Intertwined Lives: Jonathan Groff and Gavin Creel Biography & Career Highlights

Jonathan Groff and Gavin Creel were two of the most celebrated and respected figures in modern musical theatre, each building a formidable career that went on to influence both Broadway and Hollywood.

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Jonathan Groff: Profile & Career Milestones

• Full Name: Jonathan Drew Groff
• Born: March 26, 1985 (Lancaster, Pennsylvania)
• Notable Broadway Roles: Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening (Tony Nom.), King George III in Hamilton (Tony Nom.), Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along (Tony Winner, 2024).
• Notable Screen Roles: Jesse St. James in Glee, Holden Ford in Mindhunter, Kristoff (voice) in Disney’s Frozen franchise.
• Awards: Tony Award (2024), Grammy Award, Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Gavin Creel: A Legacy in Memoriam

• Full Name: Gavin James Creel
• Born: April 18, 1976 (Findlay, Ohio)
• Died: September 30, 2024 (Manhattan, New York)
• Cause of Death: Metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma (a rare form of cancer).
• Partner: Alex Temple Ward
• Notable Broadway Roles: Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony Nom.), Claude in Hair (Tony Nom.), Elder Price in The Book of Mormon, Cornelius Hackl in Hello, Dolly! (Tony Winner).
• Awards: Tony Award, Laurence Olivier Award.

The two stars shared more than just a stage. They were ex-boyfriends who remained close friends, a testament to the depth and maturity of their bond. Their professional lives were also uncannily similar; Creel workshopped roles in both Spring Awakening and Hamilton, which Groff would later take on to great acclaim, creating a fascinating professional symmetry.

The Bittersweet Reconnection: Groff’s Moving Tribute and Final Text Exchange

The most recent and emotionally resonant chapter of their story unfolded just months before Creel's passing. Jonathan Groff revealed the details of a final, meaningful exchange during a discussion at the New Yorker Festival in late 2024.

1. The Interview That Sparked Closure

The catalyst for their final communication was an interview Groff had done with *The New Yorker* journalist Michael Schulman. In the piece, Groff spoke candidly about his life, including his early relationship with Creel.

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Groff recalled being deeply grateful that he was never "outed" by the press, allowing him to navigate his career and coming out on his own terms. He mentioned that Creel was a significant figure in his life during that period.

2. Creel’s Unexpected Final Text Message

A few days after Groff’s interview was published, he received a text message from Gavin Creel. This was not a casual check-in, but a profound note of gratitude and affirmation.

The text message was Creel’s way of acknowledging Groff’s words and the respectful way he had framed their shared past. Groff shared that Creel's message allowed them to "close the loop" on their relationship, bringing a sense of peace and finality to their history.

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3. Groff’s Profound Sense of Gratitude

Groff expressed immense gratitude for this final interaction, especially in light of Creel's sudden diagnosis and rapid decline from metastatic melanotic peripheral nerve sheath sarcoma. The text exchange occurred just months before Creel’s death, making the timing a near-miraculous moment of grace for Groff.

He told the New Yorker Festival audience that he was "so grateful" for the opportunity to have that final connection with Creel. This sentiment resonated deeply with fans, highlighting the importance of resolving past relationships with love and respect.

The Enduring Legacy of Two Broadway Giants

The story of Jonathan Groff and Gavin Creel is more than just a celebrity romance; it’s a narrative about the power of friendship, the complexity of ex-partnerships, and the enduring impact of two artists on the world of musical theatre. Both men were powerful advocates for the LGBTQ+ community and used their platforms to champion equality and acceptance.

4. Shared Professional Parallelism: The "Groff-Creel" Roles

A fascinating aspect of their careers is the number of major roles that Creel workshopped or was considered for, only to have Groff eventually star in the final, iconic production. This includes the groundbreaking roles in Spring Awakening and Hamilton.

This professional overlap speaks not to rivalry, but to a shared artistic sensibility and a common place within the elite echelon of Broadway leading men. Their careers ran on parallel tracks, often intersecting in meaningful ways, both personally and professionally.

5. A Legacy of Kindness and Advocacy

Gavin Creel was widely known for his kindness, generosity, and strong commitment to advocacy, particularly for LGBTQ+ rights. He was a co-founder of Broadway Impact, a non-profit organization that mobilized the theatre community in support of marriage equality.

Jonathan Groff’s recent tribute is a continuation of Creel’s legacy—a reminder that love, in all its forms, is worth celebrating and remembering. The story of their reconnection serves as a powerful final curtain call for Creel’s life, one that was filled with artistry, advocacy, and profound human connection.

The emotional depth of Groff's sharing ensures that Gavin Creel's memory will live on not just through his Tony-winning performances, but through the beautiful, final act of love and closure he shared with one of his most important former partners.