‘Sex and the City’ star Willie Garson dead at 57
Actor Willie Garson, best known for his long-running role as Stanford Blatch on “Sex and the City,” died Tuesday afternoon at the age of 57, multiple media outlets reported.
Willie Garson, who played Stanford Blatch on TV’s "Sex and the City" and its movie sequels, has died, his son announced Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2021. He was 57. Here are some memorable photos from his career.
1993: Willie Garson, William Russ and Ben Savage appear in a 1993 episode of "Boy Meets World."
1999: Willie Garson, Danielle Fishel and Ben Savage appear in a 1999 episode of "Boy Meets World."
2001: Actors (from left to right) Willie Garson stars as Stanford, Sarah Jessica Parker stars as Carrie, Kristian Davis stars as Charlotte, Kim Cattrall stars as Samantha and Cynthia Nixon stars as Miranda in the HBO comedy series "Sex and the City."
2002: Willie Garson during HBO’s "Sex and the City" fifth season world premiere at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
2003: Willie Garson and Cynthia Nixon during "Sex and the City" sixth season premiere after party at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.
2004: D.L. Hughley, Shannen Doherty, Bijou Phillips, Willie Garson and Caroline Rhea appear on "Celebrity Blackjack."
2005: Willie Garson and Paris Hilton attend Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Morton’s Restaurant on February 27, 2005, in Los Angeles.
2006: Marissa Tomei, Willie Garson and Gretchen Mol attend Vanity Fair Oscar Party at Morton’s Restaurant on March 5, 2006.
2007: Actress Sarah Jessica Parker and actor Willie Garson film a scene for the movie "Sex and The City" on location in the West Village on October 1, 2007, in New York City.
2008: Actors Jennifer Hudson, Willie Garson and Sarah Jessica Parker attend the 2008 MTV Movie Awards at the Gibson Amphitheatre on June 1, 2008, in Universal City, California.
2009: Willie Garson as Mozzie, Matt Bomer as Neal Caffrey, Tim DeKay as Peter Burke and Tiffani Thiessen as Elizabeth Burke in "White Collar."
2010: Willie Garson and Mario Cantone attend HP, Conde Nast and Bergdorf Goodman "Sex & The City 2" after party at Bergdorf Goodman on May 25, 2010, in New York City.
2011: Willie Garson as Mozzie in "White Collar."
2012: Andy Cohen, Heather Dubrow and Willie Garson on "Watch What Happens Live."
2013: Willie Garson, Jon Cryer and Courtney Thorne-Smith appear in a 2013 episode of "Two and a Half Men."
2014: Actor Willie Garson, son Nathan Garson, actress Selena Gomez and President of the Disney-ABC Television Group Anne Sweeney attend the Alliance for Children’s Rights’ 22nd annual Dinner at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on April 7, 2014, in Beverly Hills, California.
2015: Actress Kristen Davis (left) and actor Willie Garson attend the 2015 IDA Awards at Paramount Studios on December 5, 2015, in Hollywood, California.
2016: Willie Garson poses for a portrait for Night Of 100 Stars – Portraits Provided By The Starving Artists Project on February 28, 2016, in Beverly Hills, California.
2017: Actors Willie Garson, Jason Schwartzman, Wallace Wolodarsky, Maya Forbes, Jack Black, Jacki Weaver and Jenny Slate attend the "The Polka King" Premiere on Day 4 of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival at Eccles Center Theatre on January 22, 2017, in Park City, Utah.
2018: Actor Willie Garson attends the Extraordinary Families third annual Awards Gala at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel on October 24, 2018, in Beverly Hills, California.
2019: Willie Garson and Nathan Garson attend 27th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party Celebrating EJAF and the 91st Academy Awards on February 24, 2019, in West Hollywood, California.
2020: Willie Garson and Mary Lisio attend the 28th annual Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Awards Viewing Party sponsored by IMDb, Neuro Drinks and Walmart on February 9, 2020, in West Hollywood, California.
2021: Sarah Jessica Parker and Willie Garson are seen filming "And Just Like That…," the follow up series to "Sex and the City," on July 23, 2021, in New York City.
A family member confirmed the death to Variety, but a cause has not been released.
According to People magazine, Garson died surrounded by family following a brief illness.
Garson’s Blatch was the best friend of Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Sex and the City” character, Carrie Bradshaw, in both the HBO series and spinoff movies. He is slated to appear in the pending reboot, “And Just Like That… ,” People reported.
Following the show’s 2004 wrap, Garson appeared in TV’s “John from Cincinnati,” “White Collar,” “Whole Way Down” and “Hawaii Five-O,” in addition to several movies.
In a statement issued to Variety, “Sex and the City” Executive Producer Michael Patrick King said that the franchise had “lost one of its own.”
“(Garson’s) 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,” King stated.
Born William Garson Paszamant in Highland Park, New Jersey, Garson studied theater at Wesleyan University and earned his master of fine arts degree from Yale School of Drama. His early TV credits included stints on “Cheers,” “Family Ties,” “L.A. Law,” as well as later turns on “Boy Meets World,” “The X-Files,” “Friends,” “Twin Peaks,” “Melrose Place,” “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Ally McBeal,” Variety reported.
Meanwhile, his film credits also included “Kingpin,” “There’s Something About Mary,” “Groundhog Day” and “Being John Malkovich,” among others.
Garson’s son, Nathen Garson, shared a heartfelt Instagram tribute to his father on Tuesday, calling him “the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known.”
“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 ❤️😘” Nathen Garson added.
