Willie Garson

William Garson Paszamant (February 20, 1964 – September 21, 2021) was an American actor. He appeared in over 75 films and more than 300 TV episodes. He was known for playing Stanford Blatch on the series Sex and the City, in the related films Sex and the City and Sex and the City 2 and in the spin-off And Just Like That..., Mozzie in the series White Collar from 2009 to 2014, Ralph in the 2005 romantic comedy Little Manhattan, Gerard Hirsch in the reboot of Hawaii Five-0, and Martin Lloyd in the sci-fi series Stargate SG-1.

Willie Garson
Garson in 2018
Born
William Garson Paszamant

(1964-02-20)February 20, 1964
DiedSeptember 21, 2021(2021-09-21) (aged 57)
Education
OccupationActor
Years active1986–2021
Children1

Early life and education

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Garson was born in Highland Park, New Jersey, the son of Muriel (née Schwartz) and Donald M. Paszamant.[1] Garson was Jewish.[2] He attended Camp Wekeela in Hartford, Maine, as a child for 11 years.[3]

He graduated in 1982 from Highland Park High School.[4] In 1985, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theater from Wesleyan University[4][5] and a Master of Fine Arts degree from the Yale Drama School.[6][7]

Career

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Television

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Garson had a recurring role as Henry Coffield on NYPD Blue and as Stanford Blatch on Sex and the City.[8] His other television appearances include Mr. Belvedere,[9] My Two Dads, Coach ("The Loss Weekend" episode as a clerk), Quantum Leap (once as a newspaper salesman/hack writer, and once as Lee Harvey Oswald), Twin Peaks, Monk, Boy Meets World, Girl Meets World (playing four different characters in the latter two shows' universe), Ally McBeal, Party of Five, Star Trek: Voyager (in the episode "Thirty Days"), Special Unit 2, Just Shoot Me!, Ask Harriet, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Friends (as Ross Geller's neighbor in the episode "The One With the Girl Who Hits Joey"), The X-Files (twice and as two different characters), Cheers (as a waiter in the episode "Cape Cad"), Yes, Dear, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Pushing Daisies, Stargate SG-1 (3 episodes), Wizards of Waverly Place, CSI: Miami, Mental, Spin City, and Taken. He co-starred in the 2007 HBO series John from Cincinnati. He co-starred as Mozzie in the USA Network series White Collar from 2009 to 2014.[10] From 2019 to 2020, he was a regular guest star on the syndicated game show 25 Words or Less.

Film

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Garson also appeared in three movies from the Farrelly brothersKingpin, There's Something About Mary,[9] and Fever Pitch. His other film credits include Groundhog Day, Just Like Heaven, The Rock,[9] Fortress 2: Re-Entry, Being John Malkovich,[9] Freaky Friday, Labor Pains, and Out Cold. He made a cameo in the end credits of Jackass Number Two,[11] with the full context of the cameo being explained in Jackass 2.5.[12] His last film role was in Before I Go (2021).

Personal life and death

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Garson adopted a seven-year-old boy in 2009.[13][14] Though he is mainly known for having played an openly gay man on Sex and the City, he was heterosexual.[15]

Garson died from pancreatic cancer at his home in Los Angeles, California, on September 21, 2021, at age 57.[16][17][18]

Filmography

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Film

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YearTitleRoleNotes
1987The Price of LifeFatherShort film
1989Troop Beverly HillsBruce
1990Nowhere LandStore OwnerShort film
Brain DeadBoard Member
The Adventures of Ford FairlaneFrat Boy
RepossessedNerd Student
1991Across the TracksSalesman
The Walter EgoEgg w/ GlassesShort film
SoapdishNitwit Executive
MobstersTelephone Operator
1992RubyLee Harvey Oswald
1993Groundhog DayPhil's Assistant Kenny
Untamed HeartPatsy
When the Party's OverVic Montana
DaybreakSimon
1994Cityscrapes: Los AngelesJohn
Black SheepAnthony Guifoyle
Every BreathBob
SpeechlessDick
1995Things to Do in Denver When You're DeadCuffy
The Tie That BindsRay Tanton
1996Alone in the WoodsLyle
The Destiny of Marty FineJack
The RockFrancis Reynolds
KingpinPurse Snatcher
Mars Attacks!Corporate Guy
1997Cyclops, BabyWillie
1998There's Something About MaryDr. Zit Face/High School Pal
Living Out LoudMan in Elevator
1999The SuburbansCraig
Being John MalkovichGuy in Restaurant
Play It to the BoneCappie Caplan
2000Our Lips Are SealedAgent Norm
Fortress 2Stanley Nussbaum
What Planet Are You From?Brett
2001Out ColdTed Muntz
2002LusterSonny Spike
2003SpecialSuspicious Wheelchair GuyShort film
Freaky FridayEvan
A Problem with FearErin
2004The CruxMan Holding the RopeShort film
Seeing Other PeopleSuspicious Wheelchair GuyShort film
House of DTicket Agent
2005Fever PitchDr. Kevin
Just like HeavenMaitre D'
Little ManhattanRalph
2006Thank HeavenGrant Strong
The TV SetBrian
ZoomDick
2007Hard FourOrville Chisholm
2008Beau JestJoel Goldman
Sex and the CityStanford Blatch
2009Shannon's RainbowRichard
Labor PainsCarl
2010Ashley's AshesLimus
Sex and the City 2Stanford Blatch
Monster HeroesTom Trudell
2012FopsThe KingShort film
Periods.
2014Walk of ShameDan Karlin
2017The Polka KingLonny
FeedMr. Brack
20197 Days to VegasDanny
2020The BellmenAlan
Magic CampCasino Manager
2021Before I GoFrancis

Television

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YearTitleRoleNotes
1986The Deliberate StrangerMiniseries
Family TiesWalterEpisode: "Paper Chase"
CheersWaiterEpisode: "The Cape Cad"
You Again?ClerkEpisode: "Quit Is a Four Letter Word"
The Disney Sunday MovieGladstone's AssistantEpisode: "The Leftovers (31.7)"
1986–87NewhartMr. Whorley / Steve2 episodes: "Desperately Desiring Susan: Part 2"; "Reading, Writing, and Rating Points"
1986–90Mr. BelvedereCarlRecurring role
1987My Two DadsTomEpisode: "Crime and Punishment"
1988–89It's a LivingPhil Roman3 episodes
1989CoachClerkEpisode: "The Loss Weekend"
Peter GunnRustyTV movie
Chicken SoupWaiterEpisode: "Double Date"
1989–92Quantum LeapAlik Idell / Lee Harvey Oswald / Seymour3 episodes
1990ThirtysomethingRayEpisode: "Good Sex, Some Sex, What Sex, No Sex"
BookerMac LarsonEpisode: "Mobile Home"
1991Twin PeaksHeavy Metal RoadieEpisode #2.20
American PlayhouseFatherEpisode: "The Price of Life"
1993Moon Over MiamiEpisode: "Watching the Detectives"
L.A. LawJay BergEpisode: "Odor in the Court"
Big AlRickiTV short
Flying BlindLeech BoyEpisode: "The Bride of Marsh Man 2: The Spawning"
A League of Their OwnClark PowellEpisode: "Marathon"
1993–99Boy Meets WorldLeonard Spinelli / Mervyn / The Minister4 episodes
1994RenegadeTommyEpisode: "Once Burned, Twice Chey"
Ray Alexander: A Taste for JusticeAssociateTV movie
1995Pig StyHansen2 episodes: "Mr. Nice Guy"; "Leap Into an Open Grave"
MADtvLee Harvey OswaldEpisode: "Kato Kaelin/Poison"
The Barefoot ExecutiveAssistantTV movie
PartnersLarryEpisode: "Do We Have to Write You a Check?"
Mad About YouRandallEpisode: "New Year's Eve"
1995, 1999The X-FilesQuinton 'Roach' Freely / Henry Weems2 episodes: "The Walk"; "The Goldberg Variation"
1996Touched by an AngelEddie BrennerEpisode: "Dear God"
1996–99NYPD BlueHenry Coffield7 episodes
1997VR.5Strange GuyEpisode: "Sisters"
Caroline in the CityAnnoying GuyEpisode: "Caroline and the Monkeys"
The PracticeD.A. Frank Shea2 episodes: "Trial and Error"; "Dog Bite"
1997–98Melrose PlaceDr. Mosley2 episodes: "Secrets and Wives"; "Coop de Grace"
Ally McBealAlan Farmer / Frank Shea2 episodes: "Compromising Positions"; "These Are the Days"
1998Ask HarrietRonnie RendallMain cast
Buffy the Vampire SlayerSecurity GuardEpisode: "Killed by Death"
Conrad BloomSpencerEpisode: "Gone with the Re-Wind"
Party of FiveMr. Kroop3 episodes
Star Trek: VoyagerRigaEpisode: "Thirty Days"
1998–2004Sex and the CityStanford BlatchRecurring role
1999FriendsSteve CeraEpisode: "The One with the Girl Who Hits Joey"
Just Shoot Me!KurtEpisode: "Miss Pretty"
Early EditionWillie DretlerEpisode: "The Out-of-Towner"
Come On Get Happy: The Partridge Family StorySamTV movie
Nash BridgesLeonard VossEpisode: "Crosstalk"
2000City of AngelsNorman LewisEpisode: "Cry Me a Liver"
Hollywood Off-RampEpisode: "And on Your Left..."
Level 9Bones2 episodes: "Mail Call"; "DefCon"
Spin CityNedEpisode: "Blind Faith"
2000–06Stargate SG-1Martin Lloyd3 episodes
2001Going to CaliforniaPercy UtleyEpisode: "A Pirate Looks at 15 to 20"
2001–02Special Unit 2Amphorian / Cupid / Little Brother / Ross Bowman2 episodes: "The Brothers"; "The Love"
2002TakenDr. Kreutz2 episodes
2003Greetings from TucsonMr. GarganEpisode: "Counseling"
CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationBud Simmons / Sexy KittyEpisode: "Fur and Loathing"
Harry's GirlTV movie
2004All About the AndersonsBud BarberEpisode: "Get Out of Dodge... Ball"
Yes, DearGordonEpisode: "Kim and Gordon"
The DivisionDekeEpisode: "The Box"
MonkLeo NavarroEpisode: "Mr. Monk and the Panic Room"
Wild CardAlan Farmer / Brad PittEpisode: "Die, Die, Who Am I?"
2005–06CSI: MiamiIan Sutter / Ian Sutton2 episodes: "Sex & Taxes"; "If Looks Could Kill"
2006Las VegasPete NatelsonEpisode: "Bait and Switch"
2007John from CincinnatiMeyer DicksteinMain cast
2008Chocolate NewsLarry TurnerEpisode: "Episode #1.1"
2009Imagination MoversPants ArmstrongEpisode: "Second Chance Pants"
Wizards of Waverly PlaceMr. FrenchyEpisode: "Fashion Week"
Pushing DaisiesDick DickerEpisode: "Window Dressed to Kill"
MediumAlan HitchensEpisode: "The Talented Ms. Boddicker"
MentalLeonard SteinbergEpisode: "Rainy Days"
2009–14White CollarMozzieMain cast
2011The Whole TruthEpisode: "The End"
2011–15Whole Day DownWillieMain cast
2012Hot in ClevelandDr. BrotzEpisode: "God and Football"
2013Two and a Half MenDr. Steven StavenEpisode: "Run, Steven Staven! Run!"
Wendell & VinnieJury memberEpisode: "Mock Law & Order"
How to Live with Your Parents (For the Rest of Your Life)HarryEpisode: "How to Live with the Academy Awards Party"
2014Girl Meets WorldHarrison MillerEpisode: "Girl Meets Popular"
Franklin & BashDr. Nick BeckmanEpisode: "Kershaw v. Lincecum"
2015Weird LonersCarlEpisode: "Weird Knight"
2015–20Hawaii Five-0Gerard HirschGuest role (seasons 5, 7–9), recurring role (season 6)
2016The Mysteries of LauraGeorge TilieuEpisode: "The Mystery of the Downward Spiral"
2017ScandalProtestorEpisode: "Day 101"
2018SalvationDr. CarsonEpisode: "Get Ready"
2019–20SupergirlSteve Lomeli3 episodes
2019Conversations in L.A.Dr. KerrEpisode: "Wed-Lock"
Magnum P.I.Gerard HirschEpisode: "Blood Brothers"
2020Big MouthVarious voices3 episodes
2021And Just Like That...Stanford BlatchPosthumous release; 3 episodes

References

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  1. ^ Home News Tribune: "MURIEL PASZAMANT FLANAGAN AGE: 77 NEW YORK, NY".Garson leaves his sister, Lisa ( Paszamant ) Clark and brother, John Paszamant February 11, 2010
  2. ^ @WillieGarson (December 25, 2017). "As a Jewish person..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Rymer, Chris (June 2012). "'Summer Stock', Interview with Willie Garson" (PDF). Portland Monthly (Summer Guide): 149–154.
  4. ^ a b "Willie Garson". biography.com. Biography Channel. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012. Retrieved February 7, 2020. Garson attended Highland Park High School, and after graduating in 1982 he continued on to Wesleyan University in Middletown, Connecticut...
  5. ^ "Does 'The Carrie Diaries' have room for Willie Garson '85?". Wesconnect.Wesleyan.edu. Retrieved May 3, 2012.
  6. ^ Shafer, Ellise (September 21, 2021). "Willie Garson, 'Sex and the City' and 'White Collar' Actor, Dies at 57". Variety. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  7. ^ Di Nunzio, Miriam (September 21, 2021). "Willie Garson, starred as Stanford Blatch on 'Sex and the City,' dies at 57". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  8. ^ Watkins, Gwynne (June 21, 2011). "Willie Garson of Sex and the City and White Collar Tells 12 Odd Stories From 12 TV Roles – Slideshow". Vulture. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  9. ^ a b c d Lee, Luaine (June 22, 2000). "GARSON LOOKS FORWARD TO NEW SEASON, MORE JOBS". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  10. ^ "White Collar Cast Reunites for Family Dinner". E! Online. December 10, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  11. ^ "Jackass Number Two – Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  12. ^ Andrew, Stephen (September 22, 2021). "Johnny Knoxville Remembers Willie Garson's 'Jackass' Appearance in Touching Tribute". Pop Culture Media. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  13. ^ "SATC Actor Willie Garson Finalizes Son's Adoption". February 5, 2010. Retrieved October 25, 2017.
  14. ^ "Exclusive: Meet Willie Garson's New Son Nathen!". People. March 5, 2010. Retrieved March 23, 2010.
  15. ^ Cooper, Mariah (April 27, 2016). "Willie Garson says 'Sex and the City' diversified LGBT representation". Washington Blade. Retrieved February 9, 2019.
  16. ^ Cordero, Rosy (September 21, 2021). "Willie Garson Dies: 'Sex And The City' Star Was 57". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  17. ^ Boucher, Ashley (September 21, 2021). "Sex and the City Star Willie Garson Dead at 57". People. Retrieved September 21, 2021.
  18. ^ Jiminez, Jesus; Allen, Jordan (September 23, 2021). "Willie Garson, 'Sex and the City' Actor, Dies at 57". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
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