Sarah Jessica Parker Breaks Silence on Her ‘Sex and the City’ Co-star and Friend Willie Garson’s Death
Update, Setepmber 24th: Sarah Jessica Parker, who starred as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City alongside Willie Garson who played Stanford Blatch, wrote a lengthy post about her friend’s death and made it clear that her silence over the last few days was intentional. “I will miss everything about you,” she said. “And replay our last moments together. I will re-read every text from your final days and put to pen our last calls. Your absence a crater that I will fill with blessing of these memories and all the ones that are still in recesses yet to surface.”
Original story: Actor Willie Garson, best known for his iconic role as the flamboyant Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City, has passed away at the age of 57. He was reportedly diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and died after a short illness.
While he was best known for his work on Sex and the City, Garson had a truly prolific career, starring in 75 films and appearing in over 300 TV shows. He was featured in the movies Little Manhattan and Just Like Heaven, and he had roles on hit programs like White Collar and Hawaii Five-0. He’s also set to posthumously reprise the role of Stanford Blatch in the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That…
Many of Garson’s former co-stars offered their condolences on social media soon after the news broke. “So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @WillieGarson,” wrote Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbes on the show. “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.”
Kim Cattrall, who played the formidable Samantha Jones on the show, also said goodbye to her friend. “Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo,” she posted.
Kristin Davis of Charlotte York fame took to Instagram to post a lengthy caption, where she specifically remembered Garson’s parenting. “I really want to pay tribute to his fearless commitment to single fatherhood. We spoke about being single parents through adoption often,” she explained. “And nothing gave him more joy and pride than his son Nathen. Nathen’s strength and wisdom beyond his years are evident in his beautiful tribute to his dad. The outpouring of love is earned dear Willie. I am thankful for all of the time we had and grateful that so much of your bright light is on film forever.”
Mario Cantone played Garson’s onscreen love interest over the course of the show and had nothing but glowing remarks for his late friend. “I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner,” he said. “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.”
I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner. 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. pic.twitter.com/Ia4tg1VK1Y
— Mario Cantone (@macantone) September 22, 2021
The show’s executive producer and showrunner, Michael Patrick King, also sent a statement to the press about Garson’s passing. “The Sex And The City family has lost one of its own. Our amazing Willie Garson,” he wrote. “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.”
Sarah Jessica Parker hasn’t yet posted about Garson’s death, but she’s gone through another loss recently. George D.Malkemus lll, the footwear executive who worked closely with Parker on her SJP shoe line, passed away on September 16th.
Willie Garson is survived by his son Nathen. Our hearts go out to his family, friends, and loved ones during this difficult time.
