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Matt Bomer is remembering his White Collar co-star Willie Garson, whose death was confirmed Tuesday by his son Nathen.
“Willie, I don’t understand,” Bomer began his Instagram tribute. “And it’s not fair. 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. I know that it wasn’t reflective of the pain you were going through, but it was indicative of everything you were and are to me: 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 concluded. “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.”
On White Collar, Garson and Bomer played con artists and friends, Mozzie and Neal. They appeared in all six seasons of the USA Network caper. The series finale aired in 2014.
Fellow White Collar vet Tim DeKay tweeted, “Godspeed, Wilhelm. You know I love you and always will,” while co-star Tiffani Thiessen shared the following on Instagram: “Willie, my dear sweet friend, I’m utterly heartbroken. It’s still hard for me to believe you’re not here. You fought this battle with strength and grace. Heaven got an amazing man today and they are incredibly lucky. I love you so darn much my friend.”
Hilarie Burton Morgan, who played Sara Ellis for the better part of two seasons, on Wednesday morning shared that, having been alerted by “friends, coworkers” and “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…. 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.” The actress shared some personal photos, including of a “Calm Down” tattoo she recently got in honor of Garson’s usual advice.
White Collar creator Jeff Eastin, meanwhile, tweeted, “Goodbye my friend. You were the best of us….. Willie was the funniest person I’ve ever known. He was also a great father through adoption. If you’d like to do something nice, donate a few bucks to the adoption agency of your choice in his honor. #WillieGarson, you will live forever in our hearts.”
Garson had reportedly been battling cancer.
Willie seemed like the most wonderful, loving person. In every interview, he exuded happiness, warmth, humor with sincerity, and positivity. What a tremendous loss for all his friends and family.
He was such a wonderful actor! R.I.P. 🥲
Neal without Mozzie = sadness
What a lovely tribute by Matt. Also nice to hear from Tim and Jeff.
agree 100% – Mozzie was the heart of the show – most loyal best friend and even warmed ;up to the “Suit” and more so Mrs. Suit – I think it is time for a rewatch but I am sad there will not be a reunion between Neal & Mozzie on screen – maybe they can do a reunion movie as a tribute where the customers come together to mourn him
So sorry…actually sitting here watching reruns of White Collar when I saw this posting …as his character in White Collar, the posted news media reflect his kind , caring heart, a friend indeed…and some how I felt a message beyond the program’s script that adoption had a special place in his heart..RIP
RIP Willie. The world is a much sadder place without you in it. 💔😢🙏🏽
Willie Garson gave me six years of joy as Mozzie on White Collar. He was wonderful in everything that he was in. He looked like a genuinely nice man and I am so sad to hear that he is gone. 57 years is not nearly enough time. I am so sorry that he suffered and I hope that his son Nathen and his family and friends will remember only the good times they shared with him. Rest In peace Willie and thanks.
Really nice post. I agree, Mozzie was a fun character to watch every week. Thanks for the entertainment and laughs.
So sad that he’s gone. Love all the wonderful tributes from his fellow cast members. He was as lovely as he seemed in the show. I’m glad to know that now.
So sad. I wonder what will happen now to his Stanford role on the now-filming series And Just Like That.
So sad to hear of Willie,s passing .I have not seen him in other TV series but loved him in White Collar with Matt .Sympathy to his Family and friends .
LOVED him as Stanford….but also his re-ocurring role on the new Hawaii 5-O…missing you Stannie!!!!!
He also made Guest Appearances on Numbers & Hawaii Five-O Always Awesome…
That was sweet.
Muzzle was the best!
Well that brought me totally to tears. I loved Willie Garson in everything he did but especially in White Collar and SATC. He was hilarious in Magnum and Hawaii Five-0. My heart truly truly breaks for Nathen, Willie’s friends and co-workers. He will be missed by so many.
He was perfect as Mozzie. Rest in peace.
I just started rewatching this series (for the 3rd time) a week ago, it’s one of my favorites. Mozzie was such an endearing character, played so well by Willie Garson. I totally enjoyed the intermingling of the characters, you could tell that they all genuinely cared about each other. RIP Willie.
White Collar was my go to show at a time I really needed some good laughs and fun moments.
Willie made Mozzie the best beloved character.
He was a wonderful actor. May God comfort his son Nathen. It was special to see their relationship from the time Willie adopted him.
Nice tribute from Matt. White Collar cast was truly the best in tv. Willie will be missed!
I loved White Collar and most especially the chemistry between the cast. It’s so nice that they were close and remained so after White Collar ended. I can just hear Willie Garson as Mozzie say “Neil!” he was wonderful as Mozzie and is gone way too young.
I heard about this last night and cried. Every time I thought about him today I cried. You always knew when he was in a scene in any show that he would bring a smile to your face. I didn’t know him but it seems he was an even better person offscreen than on and beloved by anyone who was lucky enough to know or work with him.
.
All I can say is thank you to Nathen for sharing his Dad with us and my heart hurts for his family, those who knew and loved him as well as we, his fans who loved his work. A great and special character actor. Gone way, way too soon but his memory will live on through Nathen and his work.💔 Rest in peace Willie Garson.
Mozzie, Neil, Mr. and Mrs. Suit – one of my favorite group of characters/friends from any show.
I’ll be rewatching the Identity Crisis episode with Willie’s character in the lead of the story line. So very, very good. Still miss the show. RIP and blessings to his son and friends.
Yes LOVED That! He always called them Mr & Mrs Suit, He Certainly Was AWESOME.. Will Be GREATLY MISSED :(((
I loved this actor in every role.
You will be missed.
R.I.P.🕯️
Our entire family is in mourning. In the midst of the pandemic, we started a family tradition; each evening, we would take turns watching something a family member picks. I introduced White Collar to my Gen Z kids which they LOVED with Mozzie being their favorite character! We will miss them but I know my kids will introduce White Collar and Mozzie to the next generation. He will live on in our memories.
Mozzie was such an important part of White Collar. This hit me hard because I loved his character on the show so much.
I Can’t Believe this! It’s So SAD.. We Always Loved Watching Everything Mr Garson was On.
What a Great LOSS for US!