Willie Garson, beloved ‘Sex and the City’ actor, dead at 57

Willie Garson, beloved ‘Sex and the City’ actor, dead at 57

Willie Garson, the actor who played the beloved character Stanford Blatch in “Sex and the City” and its upcoming reboot, “And Just Like That,” with real-life best friend Sarah Jessica Parker, has died. He was 57.

“Willie Garson was in life, as on-screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe,” an HBO Max spokesperson told The Post. “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.”

The New Jersey native reportedly passed amid a cancer battle, TMZ reported, and family confirmed his death on social media.

His son Nathen, whom he adopted in 2009, wrote a heartbreaking post that he’s glad his dad “can be at peace now.”

“I love you so much papa,” he shared on Instagram. “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 your love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it.”

“There are no words. I love you dear brother. We are fewer,” wrote “Bosch” star Titus Welliver, with a photo of Garson, on Twitter.

“I couldn’t have had a more brilliant TV partner,” wrote Mario Cantone, who played Stanford’s husband Anthony Marentino on the show. “I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with Sadness. Taken away from all of us way soon. You were a gift from the gods sweet Willie. Rest …I love you.”

Garson’s last post on social media was about kindess on September 4. “BE KIND TO EACH OTHER……ALWAYS. LOVE TO ALL. APRROACH [sic] KINDNESS,” he tweeted.

Garson portrayed Carrie Bradshaw’s gay BFF on the hit HBO series from 1998 to 2004 and was a prominent character in both of the films.

The actor was seen recently on the set of “And Just Like That,” the revival show currently in production on HBO Max.

“The ‘Sex and the City’ family has lost one of its own. Our amazing Willie Garson,” Michael Patrick King, the executive producer of “SATC” and “And Just Like That,” told Variety. “His spirit and his dedication to his craft was present every day 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.”

“So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @Willie.Garson,” co-star Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbes on the show, wrote on Instagram. “We all loved him and adored working with him. He was endlessly funny on-screen and in real life. He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional — always. My heart goes out to his son, @Nathen_Garson. Nathen, I hope you know how much he loved you and how proud he was to be your dad.”

“This is a tragedy for the entire #SATC #AJLT family, for Willie’s family, and for the world,” his “Sex and the City” co-star Evan Handler wrote. “Willie was a prince, the Mayor of every group he ever existed within, and – most importantly – a parent. My heart grieves for his son. A consumate funny man. Bless you.”

Fans have been excited about the mysterious reboot, but for Garson, it was “weird” — but “normal” — to be playing Stanford again.

“I think the feeling was, ‘Oh, my God, this is so weird, right?’” Garson told Page Six about the cast reuniting for a table read in June. “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.’”

Willie Garson, who played the beloved character Stanford on Willie Garson, who played the beloved character Stanford on “Sex and the City,” has died.Getty Images for Neuro Brands

“The fans have kept us going all this time, and that’s why we do it,” he added. “So God bless us for being allowed to do this. And it’s because of the fans.”

When the show recently shot a brunch scene at the East Pole on East 65th Street, crowds formed around the popular restaurant; it was like One Direction was in town.

“The excitement from the fans was palpable,” East Pole owner Anthony Martignetti told The Post. “When [the cast] got out of the town cars, people were screaming the characters’ names. They were really freaking out for Stanford [Willie Garson].”

Sarah Jessica Parker and Willie Garson are seen filming Sarah Jessica Parker and Willie Garson are seen filming “And Just Like That…” in July.GC Images

But his friendship with Parker, 56, extends to real life, too. Garson told People in 2020 that Parker was “an inspiration to me when I was adopting.” Garson has a son named Nathen, who is around the same age as James Wilki, Parker’s son with Matthew Broderick.

“They’re buddies,” Garson says. “We go out to the beach with them and have a great time.”

He also said they were friends for 20 years before “Sex and the City” and even shared screen time together in 1996 film “Mars Attacks!”

In fact, he met SJP after being set up on a blind date more than a decade before the show became a hit on HBO.

“We were set up once, had a very long flirtation, and then just settled into being best friends, something I think really reads on the show,” Garson told Out Magazine 20 years ago. “It’s funny, she’s said in interviews that every single one of her friends is gay ‘except for Willie Garson.'”

Willie Garson of Mario Cantone and Willie Garson in the 2008 film.©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Everett Collection

In October 2020, Garson told Page Six that he often didn’t discuss his sexuality so as not to offend.

“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.”

Beyond his iconic character “Stanny,” Garson can be seen in more than 300 episodes of television and more than 70 films, according to his bio, with credits including “Little Manhattan” and “Hawaii Five-0.”

Born William Garson Paszamant, he studied theater at Wesleyan University and received a master of fine arts from Yale School of Drama. Some of the early roles he took in his career were small parts, but huge projects that are beloved today like “Cheers,” “Family Ties,” “Boy Meets World,” “Melrose Place,” “Buffy,” “Ally McBeal” and “The X-Files.” On the big screen, Garson acted in such films as “Being John Malkovich,” “Fever Pitch” and “There’s Something About Mary” and recently lent his voice to the animated series “Big Mouth.”

Garson also co-starred in the 2009-2014 USA Network series “White Collar,” opposite Matt Bomer (“American Horror Story”). In 2012 he told Page Six that he and Bomer bonded on the show from the beginning — because of personal tragedy. 

“When we started the series, I got a call with news that my mother was going to pass away,” Garson said. “I didn’t know anyone on the set. Matt asked, ‘What’s wrong?’ And I told him my mother was going to die. He hugged me and let me cry. I knew he had my back. That shows on-screen.” Garson adds: “On this show, we’ve been to hell and back — now we’re best friends.”

Bomer, 43, posted a heartbreaking tribute to his co-star, who always “lifted” him up.

“Willie. I don’t understand. And it’s not fair,” he wrote. “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. Save a place for me, because you know I want to be at your table up there.”

Beyond “And Just Like That,” which does not have a premiere date yet, Garson was working on TV sitcom “Duke of the Valley.”