THE iconic Sex and the City and White Collar star Willie Garson passed away at the age of 57 after battling cancer as his son issued a heartbreaking tribute.
In a touching Instagram post, Nathen Garson fondly recalled his dad, who was known for his role as Stanford Blatch on SATC alongside Sarah Jessica Parker and Cynthia Nixon.
Nathen wrote: “I love and miss you 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. 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’re love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it.”
Willie had been battling cancer, according toTMZsources. In the six seasons that ran from 1998 to 2004, he was the gay friend of Parker’s character Carrie Bradshaw. He appeared in 27 episodes.
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MARIO CANTONE POSTS TRIBUTE
Willie’s co-star Mario Cantone posted a heartfelt tribute to Twitter alongside a picture of the pair.
It read: “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.”
WHAT ROLE DID WILLIE PLAY
On Sex and the City, Garson portrayed the role Stanford Blatch, one of TV’s most memorable gay characters.
In a 2020 interview withPageSix, Garson opened up about why he never liked talking about how he was actually straight in real life.
“For years I didn’t talk about it because I found it to be offensive to gay people,” Garson spoke out.
“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.”
HBO RELEASES STATEMENT ON WILLIE’S DEATH
A spokesperson for HBO/HBO Max confirmed Willie had passed and released a touching statement.
“Willie Garson was in life, as on screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe,” It said.
“He created one the most beloved characters of the HBO pantheon. He was a family member for almost twenty-five years.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and extend our sincere condolences to his family and loved ones.”
TWITTER FLOODS WITH TRIBUTES
After TMZ first broke the story, many flooded Twitter with tributes for the late actor.
Actress Joely Fisher said “Rest easy sweet @WillieGarson …I am so glad I told you I adored you before you left #rip” while Dulé Hill added, “This is heartbreaking. Love you @WillieGarson. You will be sorely missed #RIP#WillieGarson.”
Another fan added: “I am devastated to hear that Willie Garson has died from Cancer. White Collar was an under-appreciated show and he plays such wonderful characters. This last tweet from him says so much.”
WILLIE SAYS HIS CHARACTER AFFECTED HIS DATING LIFE
Despite his successful career, Garson went on to reveal that his character put a damper on his dating life.
“At the beginning, you would approach someone at a bar and realize, ‘Oh, they want to be Stanford’s best friend.’ They don’t necessarily want to sleep with you,” He said.
WILLIE TALKS ABOUT FATHERHOOD
Back in 2020, Garson opened up toAuthority Magazineabout his road to fatherhood and revealed how it changed him.
Garson stated that he was a narcissist actor and that he was the definition of this, so he immediately took on the responsibility for caring for someone else. That is an amazing feeling. It is a great job that helps you grow in so many ways. You have so many special feelings as a dad. I was in my mid-40’s and I was so bored with myself. Nathen made me feel happy and fulfilled my needs.
“I had someone to take care of and focus on. I gave someone a childhood who did not really have a real one. Not only did I get to give him a childhood but guess what? I got to get another one too, which is a great thing because my parents were not child friendly.”
WHAT WAS WILLIE’S NET WORTH?
Throughout his career, Garson had accumulated over 170 credits and even directed episodes of White Collar and Disney’s Girl Meets World.
Garson’s estimated net worth was $10 million according to Celebrity Net Worth at the time of Garson’s death.
Outside of acting, Garson was also a known adoption advocate and started the You Gotta Believe foundation with a goal “to find youth permanent families so that they have the support system they need to live safely and to their highest potential.”
DID WILLIE HAVE CHILDREN?
Garson never got married but he did adopt his son Nathan in 2009. He was just seven years old.
Following the news of his father’s death, the teen posted a heartbreaking tribute on Instagram, calling him “the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known.”
WHAT WAS WILLIE’S CAUSE OF DEATH?
Although his death has been confirmed, it has not yet been revealed what caused it. However, it has been reported that it was related to a secret battle with cancer.
It is unknown at this time what type of cancer Garson had.
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SEX AND THE CITY REBOOT STARS REVEALED
It was recently revealed that Boogie Nights star Nicole Ari Parker will step into Samantha’s Jimmy Choos on the set of the new Sex and the City reboot.
Ari Parker will play Lisa Todd Wexley, a “Park Avenue mother of three”.
Parker will reprise her roles with costars Cynthia Nixon, (Miranda Hobbes), and Kristin Davies (Charlotte York), for the reboot entitled And Just Like That.
Chris Noth, her love interest in the show Mr Big will also be returning.
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WILLIE’S SON POSTS TOUCHING TRIBUTE