Veteran American actor Willie Garson, best known for playing Stanford Blatch on the smash hit romantic comedy-drama television series, Sex and the City, passed away on Tuesday afternoon. He was 57. The news was confirmed by the actor's family to U. S. media, while the cause of his death has not been disclosed. Outside of his work on Sex and the City, Garson is also known for playing Mozzie on the police procedural drama tv show, White Collar. The news of Willie's sudden demise came as a big shock to many in Hollywood and was mourned by co-star Cynthia Nixon and actor Ben Stiller. 

Willie Garson garnered a following for his role in Sex and the City as Stanford Blatch and became an instant favorite among fans for his chemistry with Sarah Jessica Parker, who played the show's lead character Carrie Bradshaw. Appearing as Carrie's best friend, Garson's Stanford was a likeable character, with fans taking to social media to express their condolences and also convey how much they will miss watching him in the show's upcoming revival, And Just Like That. Some of his other notable roles include shows like Mr. Belvedere, Boy Meets World, NYPD Blue, while also being a part of the main cast in John from Cincinnati. Garson has also been seen on the big screen in Groundhog Day, The Rock, Mars Attacks!, including the Sex and the City films. 

Taking to Twitter, Willie Garson's co-star on Sex and the City, Cynthia Nixon, penned a heartfelt tribute and wrote, "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." Actor Ben Stiller also took tweeted his grief over the passing of Willie and wrote a heartfelt message to the late actor's son saying, "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."