ActorWillie Garson, best known for his roles as Stanford Blatch on HBO’sSex and the Cityand Mozzie on USA’sWhite Collar, has died at the age of 57.
Garson was born William Garson Paszamant in Highland Park, N.J., where he studied theater at Wesleyan and received an MFA from Yale School of Drama. His early TV roles included such shows asCheers,The X-Files,Friends,Twin Peaks, andAlly McBeal, although he was certainly most recognizable for his time as Carrie Bradshaw’s (Sarah Jessica Parker) best friend onSex and the City, a role which he later reprised in the show’s two feature films,Sex and the CityandSex and the City 2. He had returned to the franchise for the upcoming HBO Max revivalAnd Just Like That, which he was involved with at the time of his passing.
Garson also directed several episodes of television, including some forWhite Collaras well as theBoy Meets WorldspinoffGirl Meets World, on which he appeared as a guest star. His film roles included frequent collaborations with the Farrelly brothers in projects likeKingPinandThere’s Something About Mary, and he also starred in movies likeGroundhog DayandBeing John Malkovich.
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Several of Garson’s co-stars have publicly expressed their condolences, includingCynthia Nixon, whowrote via Twitter: “So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @WillieGarson. 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.”
“TheSex and the Cityfamily has lost one of its own. Our amazing Willie Garson,”Michael Patrick King,Sex and the Cityexecutive producer, said in a statement. “His spirit and his dedication to his craft was present every day filmingAnd 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.”
Garson is survived by his adopted son Nathen, who wrote a farewell message to his father via Instagram. Our thoughts and condolences go out to Garson’s family, friends, and loved ones as they mourn this loss.
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