How The White Collar Cast Has Honored Late Star Willie Garson
While Willie Garson may be best possible identified for enjoying Stanford Blatch in 'Sex and the City,' the late actor has a long list of acting credits to his name, together with the function of Mozzie in 'White Collar'.Premiered in 2009 and airing for 6 seasons, the procedural zeroes in on the courting between con-artist-turned-FBI-informant Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer) and Special Agent in Charge Peter Burke (Tim DeKay). The sequence stars Garson as Neal's friend and confidant Theodore Winters, referred to as Mozzie, as well as Tiffani Thiessen as Peter's spouse Elizabeth and 'One Tree Hill' star Hilarie Burton as an insurance coverage corporate investigator who embarks on a romance with Neal. The series aired its last-ever episode in December 2014.Garson died of pancreatic cancer on September 21, 2021, at the age of 57. After he passed away, tributes poured in from his former co-stars, including the leading ladies of 'Sex and the City' and his pals on the cast of 'White Collar,' with Bomer and Burton main the pack.
6 'White Collar' Star Matt Bomer Recalled His Last Meeting With Willie Garson
Bomer and Garson remained friends well after their stint as Neal and Mozzie on the NYC-set collection.
After the 'SATC' star died, the 'Magic Mike' actor took to Instagram to percentage his emotions.
"Willie. I don't understand. And it's not fair," Bomer wrote.
"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," the actor added.
He described Garson as someone "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," Bomer added, sending his like to Garson's son Nathen.
"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."
5 Hilarie Burton Got A Tattoo To Honor Her 'White Collar' Co-Star And Friend
Burton, whose friendship with Garson had started before their time on 'White Collar,' took to Instagram to mention she and her husband, 'The Walking Dead' star Jeffrey Dean Morgan, have been "devastated".
"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," she shared.
"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," Burton added, sharing a picture of the wedding ceremony reward (a primary edition reproduction of 1939 novel 'The Grapes of Wrath') and notice that Garson had given her and Morgan.
Before Garson's loss of life, Burton had determined to get a tattoo of a phrase he used to jokingly say after paying somebody a praise — "calm down" — and that he did come with in the message to the happy couple.
"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.
"I wanted Willie to understand that I was sporting that 'calm down' with me perpetually," she added.
Burton also revealed that Garson had asked for her help to get his memoir published for his son Nathen.
"…on my honor I will see it thru," the actress wrote.
4 Tiffani Thiessen Was "Heartbroken"
Thiessen, whose 'White Collar' character Elizabeth grew quite close to Garson's Mozzie on the show, also took to Instagram to share some pictures of her and the late actor, including a moving tribute.
"Willie, my expensive candy friend, I'm utterly heartbroken," the actress wrote.
"It's still exhausting for me to believe you're no longer here. You fought this battle with energy and beauty. Heaven got an awesome guy lately and they're extremely lucky. I love you so darn much my good friend," she added.
3 Tim DeKay Posted An Inside Joke With Garson
The other 'White Collar' leading man posted a picture with Garson on his Instagram page.
In the snap, DeKay hugs the Mozzie actor as they stand on the red carpet at the premiere of 'The Normal Heart,' released in 2014. While none of them is in the cast of the TV film, they most likely attended the event to support their friend and co-star Bomer, who stars as Felix Turner opposite Mark Ruffalo and Julia Roberts.
"Godspeed, Wilhelm. You know I really like you and all the time will," DeKay wrote.
Willie's real name was William, so we could just assume DeKay used a secret nickname they would use between them.
2 'White Collar' Star Marsha Thomason Said Working With Garson Was A Joy
On 'White Collar,' Marsha Thomason plays Special Agent Diana Berrigan, a strong-willed, openly lesbian character promoted to series regular after season one.
Following Garson's death, she, too, posted some pictures she had taken with the late actor, and voiced her sadness.
"I have never been in a position to find the phrases. I will be able to't believe he is long gone. Knowing it was coming doesn't make this any more straightforward, it's just so bloody sad," Thomason wrote.
"Willie was the sort of sort, hilarious, sarcastic, proficient beacon of light in the lives of all who knew him and were fortunate enough to call him dad, brother, pal. His relationship together with his incredible son is a true love tale," she continued.
"Getting to work with him for 6 years in New York turned into one among the great joys of my existence. Our 'White Collar' family won't ever be the same. I like you Willie and I'm gonna pass over you one thing fierce."
1 The Extended 'White Collar' Family Also Paid Tribute
'White Collar' creator Jeff Eastin took to Twitter to share some snaps of him and Garson and of the actor with Bomer and DeKay.
"Goodbye my friend. You were the best possible folks," the producer and screenwriter wrote.
Ross McCall, who played thief and Neal's rival Matthew Keller on the show, also took to Twitter to repost an article announcing Garson's passing.
"Rest simple, my buddy. God Bless," the Scottish actor wrote.
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