By Jessica Wedemeyer
3:40pm PDT, Sep 25, 2021
On Sept. 21, 2021, Willie Garson's son, Nathen Garson, announced on Instagram that the "Sex and the City" star had passed away. The actor — who famously portrayed Stanford Blatch on the iconic HBO series and will return to the role on the upcoming reboot "And Just Like That…" — was just 57. Willie, who had not publicly disclosed his illness, died from pancreatic cancer.
Read on to see how his friends and colleagues said goodbye on social media, starting with a "White Collar" co-star's tribute tattoo…
RELATED: Celebs we lost in 2021
"My phone hasn't stopped. Friends. Coworkers. Total strangers. The world knows that @willie.garson has been a pivotal player in my life. So I will not be able to fully articulate my feelings here. I'm gonna need some time. [My husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan] and I are devastated. Willie was a romantic friend. Deeply thoughtful. Intentional with his effort and attention and devotion. Social media is ablaze right now with evidence of that….. each person in his life felt special. Spoiled, even. Willie most definitely spoiled me. I wept when Willie sent Jeffrey and me a wedding present. A first edition copy of 'Grapes of Wrath.' The note he included is partially shown here (the rest is ours. And incredibly dear to us.) But I include it because it illustrates a quality of Willie's that I loved. He would pay you the biggest compliment in the world. Tell you that you were the smartest or prettiest or most talented or that your book/show/recipe/charity, etc. mattered and was valuable. And right as you'd blush, he'd temper it with 'alright, calm down!' And then laughter. He'd stop you before you could rebuff the compliment. Calm down. I can hear him saying it. Before I went to see him, I needed him to know how I felt. And @hudsonvalleytattooco was so kind and understanding and got me in the night before my flight. I wanted Willie to know that I was carrying that 'calm down' with me forever. We were together in 2019 while I was in the final edit of my book. He came to play on a movie I was producing… elevating the material, always. We talked a lot about memoir, this weird industry, our families. He'd been toying with an idea for a book. An accounting of his career as a character actor. As someone who benefited from hours of Willie's stories over countless dinners, I loved this idea. So he did it. He wrote the book. And recently he asked if I'd help his family get it published for his son Nathen. It is a love letter to our industry, to storytelling and to the hundreds of people he worked with and made better over the decades. To Willie's family, especially @nathen_garson, …on my honor I will see it through. You have been so generous in sharing him with the rest of us. Love you." –"White Collar" co-star Hilarie Burton, who shared a slideshow of photos including a tattoo in honor of Willie Garson, the words "calm down" on her arm
On Sept. 24, Sarah Jessica Parker took to Instagram to honor Willie Garson, captioning a slideshow of photos of her longtime co-star and real-life pal, "It's been unbearable. Sometimes silence is a statement. Of the gravity. The anguish. The magnitude of the loss of a 30+ year friendship. A real friendship that allowed for secrets, adventure, a shared professional family, truth, concerts, road trips, meals, late night phone calls, a mutual devotion to parenthood and all the heartaches and joy that accompany, triumphs, disappointments, fear, rage and years spent on sets (most especially Carrie's apartment) and laughing late into the night as both Stanford and Carrie and Willie and SJ. Willie. I will miss everything about you. And replay our last moments together. I will re-read every text from your final days and put to pen our last calls. Your absence a crater that I will fill with blessing of these memories and all the ones that are still in recesses yet to surface. My love and deepest sympathies and condolences to you dear Nathen. You were and are the light of Willie's life and his greatest achievement was being your Papa. These were his last words to me. 'Great bangles all around.' Yes. Godspeed Willie Garson. RIP. X, SJ."
"Willie" –"Sex and the City" co-star Chris Noth, who posted this simple message, revealing his heartbreak, next to an Instagram photo of Willie Garson and "SATC" star Sarah Jessica Parker sharing a laugh as they walked down a New York City street
"I first met Willie in 1995 on the spooky nighttime set of the X-files. He immediately made me laugh. Little did I know that we would have the joy of sharing Sex and the City + And Just Like That together. Willie is beloved by our entire community. He was smarter and funnier than you ever would have imagined. We are bereft without him. But I really want to pay tribute to his fearless commitment to single fatherhood. We spoke about being single parents through adoption often. And nothing gave him more joy and pride than his son Nathen. Nathen's strength and wisdom beyond his years are evident in his beautiful tribute to his dad. The outpouring of love is earned dear Willie. I am thankful for all of the time we had and grateful that so much of your bright light is on film forever. Maybe we can do our pod cast the next time around ? We love you forever xoxo" –"Sex and the City" co-star Kristin Davis
"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 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." –"Sex and the City" co-star Cynthia Nixon
"Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo" –"Sex and the City" co-star Kim Cattrall
"I love you so much papa. 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." –Willie Garson's son Nathen Garson, who announced the actor's death on Instagram
"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." –Mario Cantone, who portrays Anthony Marantino, Willie Garson's on-screen husband in the "Sex and the City" franchise
"This is a tragedy for the entire #SATC #AJLT family, for Willie's family, and for the world. 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." –"Sex and the City" co-star Evan Handler
"Willie, my dear sweet friend, I'm utterly heartbroken. It's still hard for me to believe you're not here. You fought this battle with strength and grace. Heaven got an amazing man today and they are incredibly lucky. I love you so darn much my friend #RIP 💔" –"White Collar" co-star Tiffani Thiessen
"Willie. I don't understand. And it's not fair. 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." —Matt Bomer, who co-starred with Willie Garson on "White Collar"
"Godspeed, Wilhelm. You know I love you and always will." –Tim DeKay, who co-starred with Willie Garson on "White Collar"
"This breaks my heart. Willie Garson, a friend who loved me at my worst, (and always let me know it) is gone. Goodbye, Fatty. I love you always." —Julie Bowen
"Sending love to @WillieGarson's son Nathen. Your dad was strong and respected in his community of fellow actors and his philanthropy was constant and committed. I'm grateful I knew him. He was also really really funny." –Ben Stiller
"That is what is left, Willie. And the tears. The tears because you have left the party, and it already feels different. I love you. Thank for being here." –Selma Blair
"The wonderful Willie Garson has left us. A dear, funny, kind man and delightful actor. Too soon. Rest well. #ripwilliegarson" –Jason Alexander
"I'm in a state of shock. I can not believe Willie Garson has left us. This is horribly sad news and I am heartbroken for his son and family." –Josh Charles
"I want to share how funny and marvelous Willie was and how sad I am to hear this news. My deepest condolences to his family and amazing friends. Big kiss to you, Willie Garson." –Michael Weatherly
"Willie Willie Willie. I'm absolutely heartbroken you're gone. Your presence filled every room you were in. Your generosity with your time and your heart for me and my friends and family was always appreciated more than you could've known (or maybe you did). Watching how you loved Nathen was otherworldly. Thank you for allowing us into your life and for being one of the only people I trusted enough to see during the pandemic, even if over a tennis net. Please keep talking s*** at the poker table of wherever you are now. Love you, Willie." –"Glee" alum Kevin McHale
There are no words. I love you dear brother. We are fewer." –Titus Welliver
"One of many fundraisers I did with my friend. We both felt so lucky we got to adopt. Willie Garson worked from his heart, which lives on in his son. God bless you Willie. You raised a child and brought laughter into our lives too. Rest in peace. You did well." –Nia Vardalos
"The world has lost an incredible talent. What a pleasure it was to spend even a few minutes with @willie.garson. Your light will shine brighter than all of the lights on Broadway. I couldn't help but wonder how many people you inspired throughout your career." –Michelle Trachtenberg
"Heart breaking! I can't believe this hilarious, talented, & kind soul has left this world. God I had a blast working with Willie Garson on an episode of #CSI Rest in peace sweet Willie." –Marg Helgenberger
"This is heartbreaking. Love you @WillieGarson. You will be sorely missed #RIP #WillieGarson" –Dulé Hill
"No. No. No. Terrific actor. The sweetest man. A great dad. I had a long talk with him before he went back to shoot SATC. He was so excited about what was to come. And so proud of what his son Nathen had become. No. No. No. Love to you Nathen and all who loved sweet Willie…." –Bradley Whitford
"Sending love to @WillieGarson as he makes his way to the next stage of life. Keep them laughing Willie. Just know how beloved you were by all." –Brenda Strong
"I'm at a loss for words… Willie Garson I Love You Bro… can't believe You're no longer with US…Love Your Humanity…don't want to believe this…" –Luis Guzman
"Our sweet pal #WillieGarson has passed on. Dear soul, rest easy." –Rob Morrow
"So so heartbroken – wonderful friend, actor, father, adoption advocate @WillieGarson — REST IN PEACE my friend. #williegarson" –Dan Bucatinsky
"You were so funny and sharp. You made me laugh very hard so many times. You were a great Dad Gone way too young." –Caroline Rhea
"Sadly, it is true… Willie Garson has died. He was so talented, so committed to social justice, so loved by so many. But most of all, he was a great, devoted, father. He will be sorely missed." –Chad Lowe
"RIP Willie Garson" –"Bridgerton" star Nicola Coughlan
"An absolute gem. #RIPWillie" –Greg Grunberg
"Rest in peace @WillieGarson. Thank you for your kind heart." –Mia Farrow
"This is so sad. I'll miss you @WillieGarson Much love going out to your family now. I know they meant the world to you." –Bryan Greenberg
"Rest easy sweet @WillieGarson …I am so glad I told you I adored you before you left #rip" –Joely Fisher
