Actor Willie Garson, best known for his role in HBO’s ‘Sex and the City’, has died. He was 57. Garson died on Tuesday afternoon following a short illness; he was surrounded by family at the time of his death.

Garson played Stanford Blatch – the best friend of Sarah Jessica Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw — on the series, as well as its spinoff movies. He was set to appear in the upcoming reboot, ‘And Just Like That…’ and was photographed on the New York set of the spinoff with Parker and Mario Cantone, who played Garson’s on-screen husband Anthony Marentino. Cantone shared a tribute to Garson on Instagram, saying he is “devastated” by his costar’s death, writing: “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 sweet Willie. Rest …I love you.”

Garson’s son Nathen shared a tribute to his dad on Instagram, calling him “the toughest and funniest and smartest person I’ve known.” Along with photos of Garson, he wrote: “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 you’re love with me. I’ll never forget it or lose it ”

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