Willie Garson, the actor best known for essaying the role of Stanford Blatch in the Sex and the City franchise, died on Tuesday. Garson was battling cancer, according to a Deadline report.
The actor is survived by his son Nathen Garson, who took to Instagram, and wrote, “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. Love you more than you will ever know and I’m glad you can be at peace now.”
Garson was in New York, shooting for HBO’s Sex and the City revival series, And Just Like That…, reprising his role as Blatch, protagonist Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) best friend.
His association with Sex and the City began in 1998. The HBO television series ran for six years. Garson also appeared in the films Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2 that released in 2008 and 2010, respectively.
Born on February 20, 1964, in New Jersey, Garson completed his education, first from Wesleyan University, and then from Yale Drama School.
He started out playing small roles in American television shows like Mr. Belvedere, Family Ties, Coach, Quantum Leap, Ally McBeal, and Party of Five, before landing the part in Sex and the City. His first notable role was in the 1996 show NYPD Blue. He also featured in an episode of Friends, and was part of the main cast of shows like John from Cincinnati and White Collar.
HBO paid tribute to the actor, and wrote, “He created one of HBO’s most beloved characters and was a member of our family for nearly 25 years. We are deeply saddened to learn of his passing and extend condolences to his family and loved ones.”
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Garson’s Sex and the City co-star Kim Cattrall took to Twitter and wrote, “Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie.”
Cattrall, who played the character of Samantha Jones in the franchise, is not a part of the revival show.
Cynthia Nixon, his other co-star in the franchise, who played the role of Miranda Hobbes, wrote, “So deeply, deeply sad we have lost Willie Garson. 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.”