Sarah Jessica Parker Pays Tribute to Co-Star Willie Garson: "Your Absence Is a Crater"

Willie Garson, the actor best known for playing Sex and the City’s Stanford Blatch, died at 57.

SATC fans will know him as the talent agent and BFF of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw, ever-present with a cocktail, snazzy bowtie and a witty putdown. As Stanford, Garson also appeared in both Sex and the City films. More recently, he had been working on the SATC spin-off series, And Just Like That...

His death on September 21 triggered an outpouring of messages from his fellow Sex and the City co-stars.

Mario Cantone, who played Garson’s on-screen partner Anthony Marentino in the HBO series and is also working on And Just Like That..., wrote on Twitter: "I’m devastated and just overwhelmed with sadness... You were a gift from the gods."

Cynthia Nixon, who plays Miranda Hobbes, wrote: ‘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.’

Kim Cattrall wrote, "Such sad news and a terribly sad loss to the SATC family. Our condolences and RIP dear Willie xo."

The executive producer of Sex And The City and And Just Like That..., Michael Patrick King, said Garson had been working "even while he was sick," without giving details. "His spirit and his dedication to his craft was present every day," he said in a statement. "His multitude of gifts as an actor and person will be missed by everyone."

Parker wrote on an Instagram comment that she was "not ready" to address Garson's death initially. Two days after the news broke, Parker posted a heartfelt tribute of her own. She explained her delay was the result of anguish.

"It's been unbearable. Sometimes silence is a statement. Of the gravity. The anguish. The magnitude of the loss of a 30 + year friendship," Parker wrote. She added, "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 is a crater that I will fill with blessing of these memories and all the ones that are still in recesses yet to surface."

Kristin Davis shared a loving tribute as well, shining a spotlight on the fact that he was an advocate for adoption.

"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."

Garson adopted his son, Nathen, in 2009, who shared a tribute of his own on Instagram, writing: ‘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.’

Garson was also known as conman Mozzie in the TV series White Collar and appeared in numerous other hit TV programs, including Cheers, Family Ties, The X-Files, Boy Meets World and Friends.

His film credits include Groundhog Day, There's Something About Mary and Fever Pitch.

The cause of his death has not yet been disclosed.

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