Broadway star Laura Benanti has strongly criticized her former "She Loves Me" co-star Zachary Levi for spreading misinformation about their late colleague Gavin Creel's death.
During a recent appearance on "That's a Gay Ass Podcast," Benanti expressed her anger over Levi's Instagram Live comments suggesting a link between COVID-19 vaccines and Creel's passing. Creel, who died in September at age 48, had been diagnosed with a rare nerve cancer.
"For him to use Gavin's memory — a person he was not friends with — to push his political agenda was unforgivable," said Benanti, who worked alongside both actors in the 2016 Broadway revival of "She Loves Me."
The controversy erupted when Levi, during a pro-Trump social media rant, implied that COVID vaccinations may have played a role in Creel's death. Medical authorities, including the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute, have repeatedly dismissed claims linking COVID vaccines to cancer.
Other Broadway performers joined in condemning Levi's statements. Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butz expressed his disappointment, stating he was "heartbroken" that Levi would politicize Creel's death.
This incident follows a pattern of controversial statements from Levi regarding COVID-19 vaccines. In January 2023, the "Shazam!" actor publicly agreed with claims suggesting Pfizer posed "a real danger to the world."
Benanti also revealed tensions from their time working together, describing Levi's behavior during their Broadway run as domineering and attention-seeking. "He wants to mansplain everybody's part to them," she recalled.
The "Shazam!" star has recently aligned himself with Donald Trump's presidential campaign, appearing at a Michigan rally after his initial choice, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., left the race.
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