Stanford Blatch was never just a "sidekick." To anyone who grew up watching the original HBO run, he was the heartbeat of a specific kind of New York survival. He was Carrie Bradshaw’s true soulmate. While Big and Aidan were busy causing existential crises, Stanford was there with a dry quip and a perfectly tailored, neon-blue suit.
Honestly, the legacy of Stanford Sex and the City fans talk about today is complicated. It’s a mix of pure 90s nostalgia and the deep, stinging grief of losing Willie Garson in 2021. When we look back at the franchise now—through the lens of the revival And Just Like That...—the character’s arc feels like a jagged line that never quite found its resting place.
The Gay Best Friend Trope and How Willie Garson Broke It
Back in 1998, the "Gay Best Friend" was a cardboard cutout in most sitcoms. Stanford could have been that. On paper, he was a talent agent with a receding hairline and an obsession with snatching up a prom king. But Willie Garson gave him teeth. He gave him insecurity. He gave him a biting wit that felt like a shield against a city that didn't always want him.
Think about his first few seasons. He wasn't just there to comment on Carrie’s shoes. He was struggling with his own invisibility. He felt "less than" in a Chelsea gym culture that prized hyper-masculinity. That’s real. It wasn't some polished TV version of being gay; it was the messy reality of being a "regular" guy in a world of models.
The chemistry between Garson and Sarah Jessica Parker wasn't manufactured by a writers' room. They were best friends in real life for over thirty years. You can see it in the way they lean into each other at the diner. It's in the effortless way they trade gossip. That’s why his departure from the show—and the world—felt so personal to the audience.
The Anthony Marantino Problem
We have to talk about the wedding. People have opinions. Strong ones.
In the second Sex and the City movie, Stanford marries Anthony Marantino. On the surface? Fabulous. Liza Minnelli sang "Single Ladies." There were swans. It was a spectacle. But for many long-term fans, it felt... lazy? Stanford and Anthony spent years hating each other. They were the only two prominent gay characters on the show, so the writers just threw them together.
👉 See also: Ted Nugent State of Shock: Why This 1979 Album Divides Fans Today
It felt like the show was saying, "Well, we’re out of options, so you two should get hitched." It lacked the nuance of the straight couples' long-game romances. Yet, Garson and Mario Cantone made it work through sheer charisma. They became the bickering old couple we didn't know we needed.
What Really Happened with Stanford in And Just Like That
When the revival was announced, Stanford was a core piece of the puzzle. He was supposed to be there for the long haul. Then, the unthinkable happened. Willie Garson passed away from pancreatic cancer during the filming of the first season.
The writers were in a corner. How do you handle a death when the actor himself is gone, but his character is still so vital to the narrative?
They chose a path that remains controversial. In the show, Stanford suddenly disappears to Japan to manage a TikTok star, leaving Anthony a letter and asking for a divorce. Fans hated it. It felt cold. It felt "not like Stanford."
The Tokyo Twist Explained
Showrunner Michael Patrick King eventually pulled back the curtain on this. The original plan for Stanford Sex and the City viewers expected was a full-season arc. He was supposed to have a massive mid-life crisis. There were scenes planned where he would struggle with his career and his marriage in a way that felt grounded.
When Garson became too ill to continue, they had to rewrite everything on the fly. The "Japan" plot was a desperate attempt to keep the character alive in the universe rather than killing him off immediately after the audience had already processed the death of Mr. Big.
✨ Don't miss: Mike Judge Presents: Tales from the Tour Bus Explained (Simply)
Later, in Season 2, they gave him a more "spiritual" ending. Anthony learns that Stanford has become a Shinto monk in Kyoto. He’s found peace. He’s let go of the clothes, the gossip, and the noise of Manhattan. Is it weird? Yeah, kinda. But in a weird way, it’s the only ending that could possibly match the surreal loss of the actor himself.
The Fashion of a Legend
We can't discuss Stanford Blatch without the suits. Patricia Field, the legendary costume designer, treated Stanford like a canvas.
- The monochromatic looks: He would wear a suit, shirt, and tie all in the exact same shade of fuchsia.
- The glasses: Thick frames that became his trademark.
- The hats: He could pull off a trilby like nobody else on the Upper West Side.
He represented the "Extravagant New Yorker." He wasn't trying to blend in. In a city of black trench coats, he was a neon sign. This was a political statement, even if it wasn't shouted. He was claiming space.
Why We Still Care
The enduring appeal of Stanford comes down to his loyalty. He was the only person who could call Carrie out on her nonsense without it turning into a three-episode fight. He saw her through the move to Paris, the breakups, and the bad columns.
When we watch old clips of Stanford Sex and the City marathons, we aren't just watching a character. We’re watching a tribute to a specific era of friendship. An era before apps, where you had to sit in a booth at a coffee shop and actually talk to someone for three hours.
Moving Forward: How to Honor the Legacy
If you're a fan looking to reconnect with the character or the history of the show, there are better ways than just re-watching the "Japan" episode.
🔗 Read more: Big Brother 27 Morgan: What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Watch the "Real" Stanford Moments
Go back to Season 5, Episode 2, "Unoriginal Sin." Stanford's struggle with his feelings for Marcus and his fear of rejection is peak Willie Garson. It’s vulnerable and funny.
Read "And Just Like That: The Documentary"
This behind-the-scenes look offers a glimpse into how the cast handled Garson's illness. It provides the closure that the scripted show couldn't quite land.
Support the Cause
Willie Garson was a massive advocate for adoption. He adopted his son, Nathen, in 2009. Supporting organizations like You Gotta Believe (which focuses on older child adoption) is perhaps the most "Stanford" thing a fan can do. It honors the man behind the suits.
Revisit the Style
Take a cue from Stanford’s bravery. Wear the bright color. Buy the bold glasses. The character was about self-expression even when you felt like an outsider.
Stanford Blatch taught us that being a "sidekick" is actually a position of power. You're the one holding the mirror up to the protagonist. You're the one keeping the secrets. And in the end, you're the one the audience misses the most when the lights go down.
Next time you see a guy in a perfectly fitted orange suit walking down 5th Avenue, tip your hat. That’s the Stanford energy. It’s not gone; it’s just shifted focus. It’s moved from the hectic streets of New York to something a bit more permanent in our collective memory.