Paul Giffin Forste, the stepfather of the 57-year-old actress, died on Wednesday. He was married to her mother, Barbara, for over 50 years. Her family told ET in a statement that he was married to Barbara for more than 50 years. He was 76.
“Our family is sad to say that Paul Giffin Forste died yesterday at age 76 after getting sick quickly and unexpectedly,” the statement says. “In his last moments, he was surrounded by his beloved wife of 54 years, Barbara, and his children, including Sarah Jessica Parker, who loved and thanked him.”
What did she say?
“Paul will be remembered for his faith in loving kindness, his special joy in his 13 grandchildren, and his strong desire to make the world a more kind, tolerant, and beautiful place for everyone,” says the statement.
The news first appeared on Page Six. ET has asked Parker’s representative for comment.
ET confirmed that Parker had to miss the global virtual press conference for Hocus Pocus 2 on Wednesday because of a family emergency. The sad news came after ET learned of this. ET had previously reported that she also skipped the New York Ballet 2022 Fall Fashion Gala at Lincoln Center, where she was to be honored, on the same day.
What was revealed by the sources?
Page Six was told by a source that Parker left the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center as soon as she got there. On Friday, Sarah Jessica Parker wrote a heartfelt post about her late stepfather, Paul Giffin Forste. “Strong like a bull. Til the end,” the 57-year-old actress from “Sex and the City” wrote next to an old black-and-white photo of a family member who had died.
She also said that he died at home, surrounded by people who loved him very much and that he “will be missed forever.” Parker told her late stepfather that she and her family would “take good care” of Barbra Forste, her mother and Forste’s now-widow, whom she said her stepfather “worshipped for 54 years.”
What did her friends say?
In the post’s comments section, friends and followers shared their condolences after reading her touching words. Amy Sedaris, a comedian, said, “So beautiful. I always think of you, and I know you know it.”
Lena Waithe, an actress, said, “Sending you so much love.” Parker was supposed to be at the New York City Ballet’s 10th Annual Fall Fashion Gala on Wednesday night, where she was being honored. However, she didn’t show up.
But at the time, a source told us that the “Hocus Pocus 2” star had to back out at the last minute because of a “sudden, devastating family situation,” which turned out to be Paul’s death.
