Sex And The City actor Willie Garson dies aged 57

Actor Willie Garson, best known for playing the flamboyant Stanford Blatch in Sex and the City, has died at the age of 57.

Garson played the role of the close friend of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw in all  six seasons of the hit HBO show, a role he reprised in the franchise’s two films. He had also been working on the spin-off series And Just Like That.

His former SATC costars Cynthia Nixon and Kim Catrall shared moving tributes to the late actor on Twitter.

Sending her condolences to Garson's son Nathen, who announced the news, Nixon wrote: " He was a source of light, friendship and show business lore. He was a consummate professional— always."

So deeply, deeply sad we have lost @WillieGarson. 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. pic.twitter.com/G63EJIj8lG

— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) September 22, 2021

Mario Cantone, who played Garson’s on-screen partner Anthony Marentino in Sex And The City, also tweeted: "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."

A spokesperson for HBO and HBO Max said: "Willie Garson was in life, as on screen, a devoted friend and a bright light for everyone in his universe.

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. pic.twitter.com/Ia4tg1VK1Y

— Mario Cantone (@macantone) September 22, 2021

STAC creator Micheal Patrick King, Jason Alexander, Ben Stiller and Garson's White Collar costar Matt Bomer were also among those to post tributes to the late actor online.

He had been reportedly diagnosed with cancer.

Garson also starred in the TV series White Collar, where he played the conman known as Mozzie.

He featured in small roles in several popular television series in the 1980s and 1990s including Cheers, Family Ties, The X-Files, and Friends, and his film credits include Groundhog Day, There’s Something About Mary, and Fever Pitch.