Willie Garson played a big part in Sex and the City as Carrie Bradshaw's best friend Stanford Blatch.
The actor's son Nathen announced that Willie has sadly died. He was 57-years-old.
While the show that helped make his name dealt with all kinds of issues related to sex and relationships, Willie was a lot more private in his real life.
In fact, he even kept his sexuality a secret for years as he didn't want to be "offensive to gay people".
His character Stanford is a gay man, and ends up marrying Charlotte York's best friend Anthony Marentino, played by Mario Cantone, in the first film.
But in real life Willie was straight and was once in a long-term relationship with a woman.
"For years I didn't talk about it because I found it to be offensive to gay people," Willie said.
"People playing gay characters jumping up and down screaming that they're not gay, like that would somehow be a bad thing if they were."
He added: "When the question would come up during the show I would say, 'When I was on White Collar no one ever asked me if I was a conman, and when I was on NYPD Blue, nobody ever asked me if I was a murderer.
"This is what we do for a living, portray people."
Willie once said Sex and the City fans were often surprised when they found out that he isn't gay like his character.
The actor told PageSix last year: "At the beginning, you would approach someone at a bar and realise, 'Oh, they want to be Stanford's best friend.
"They don't necessarily want to sleep with you."
He was even set up on a blind date with SATC star Sarah Jessica Parker, years before they worked together on the show.
But after years of flirting they became best friends, which he believed worked in their favour on the show.
Willie said: "I've known Sarah for 15 years — we were set up once, had a very long flirtation, and then just settled into being best friends, something I think really reads on the show."
His ex-partner didn't want children, but he dreamed of being a dad, so he decided to adopt his son Nathen, now 20, on his own in 2009.
Last year, he gushed about being a dad to Nathen.
He said: "He's an adult and soon to be taking care of me which is really why I got him to be honest. He's lovely and a really special guy. He's wonderful and he's in college in Ohio...
"I had a long relationship off and on for like 20 years, and she never wanted to have a child, which is fine.
"And it was like my mid-life crisis. Like, I really wanted a child more than anything else.
"And I got one and we're partners, my kid and I."
Nathen was the one who announced Willie had sadly died this month, though the actor's cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
He wrote on Instagram : "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[r] love with me. I'll never forget it or lose it."
