Superheroes and Hollywood figures alike took to social media on Monday to pay tribute to comic book legend Stan Lee, who died on Monday at age 95.
Lee co-created iconic Marvel superheroes including Black Panther, Thor, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and X-Men.
Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said, “Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created. A superhero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain and to connect. The scale of his imagination was only exceeded by the size of his heart.”
Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn also honored Lee’s legacy saying, “It’s impossible to overstate Stan’s influence on popular culture. I was able to get to know Stan over these past several years through his work with Marvel Studios, and was always impressed by his irrepressible energy and vitality. We’ve lost a true creator. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”
“Thor” actor Chris Hemsworth shared an image of Lee in Thor’s traditional helmet while holding Mjolnir. “RIP my friend,” he wrote. “Thank you for the incredible adventures your stories took all of us on. My love and support goes out to all your friends and family.”
Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool in Marvel’s X-Men franchise, shared a picture of Lee’s cameo in the latest “Deadpool” movie. “Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything,” he wrote.
Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, emphasized Lee’s importance to his own career. “No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee,” Feige wrote. “Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and his millions of fans.”
No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and his millions of fans. #ThankYouStan #Excelsior!
— Kevin Feige (@Kevfeige) November 12, 2018
Captain America himself Chris Evans wrote, “There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives.” He ended the tribute with a lively “excelsior!!” in a nod to Lee’s signature sign off.
There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 12, 2018
Robert Downey Jr., who first began portraying Iron Man in 2008 and launched the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, posted a picture on Instagram with Lee. “Owe it all to you,” he wrote. “Rest in peace Stan.”
Sorcerer Supreme Benedict Cumberbatch, who joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the titular “Doctor Strange” in 2016, said “Stan Lee‘s imagination has held generations in its thrall. He was a kind, generous and funny man and it was an honour to meet him. My love and thoughts to his family.”
“Wolverine” star Hugh Jackman posted a photo with Lee and wrote, “We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and …. to have helped bring one of his characters to life.”
We’ve lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I’m proud to have been a small part of his legacy and …. to have helped bring one of his characters to life. #StanLee #Wolverine pic.twitter.com/iOdefi7iYz
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 12, 2018
“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt also posted a picture with Lee and thanked him for the world he created: “Thanks for everything Stan Lee! What a life, so well lived. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have gotten to meet you and to have played in the world you created.”
Thanks for everything Stan Lee! What a life, so well lived. I consider myself extraordinarily lucky to have gotten to meet you and to have played in the world you created.
🙏♥️ pic.twitter.com/ryUjG7PL8D— chris pratt (@prattprattpratt) November 12, 2018
Tom Rothman, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s motion pictures group, the studio behind “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” said, “Original and genius are two very overused words in the world today, but Stan was both. Add irrepressible and irreplaceable, and you begin to describe the man. We have all lost a true superhero. We will greatly miss our friendly neighborhood Stan Lee.”
Tom Holland, who plays Marvel’s latest iteration of Spiderman wrote, “How many millions of us are indebted to this guy, none more so than me. The father of Marvel has made so many people so incredibly happy. What a life and what a thing to have achieved. Rest in peace Stan.”
Actor Jeremy Renner who plays Hawkeye in the “Avengers” franchise honored Stan Lee with a picture of the two posing together. “RIP Stan Lee ! You’re a legend my friend,” Renner wrote.
Actor Kevin Smith, a lifelong fan of Marvel, penned a long message to Lee on Instagram, thanking him for the impact he had on his childhood and calling him a “modern day Mark Twain.”
Comic book writer Gail Simone shared her own heartfelt experiences with Lee, calling him a “real human being” who changed her life every time she met him.
I am not going to be able to speak about this this morning, I can see that.
But under the persona, Stan Lee was a real human being. I met him three times and three times he told me something literally life-changing.
I hope everyone knows, he cared about us. That was no act.
— Gail Simone (@GailSimone) November 12, 2018
On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, fans also took time to honor Lee by laying flowers alongside his star. A floral wreath also appeared, complete with a black sash and the comic book writer’s name written in gold.
Read more reactions below:
Thank you Stan Lee. For your service in protecting our freedom and for your creativity and imagination! You were and will always be a SUPER HERO! pic.twitter.com/d1qpuImyzQ
— Jamie Lee Curtis (@jamieleecurtis) November 12, 2018
Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) November 12, 2018
What a man. What a life.
When I first broke into Hollywood, he welcomed me with open arms and some very sage advice I’ll forever take to heart.
A true icon who impacted generations around the world.
Rest in love, my friend. #imagination #stanlee 💫 pic.twitter.com/dw3FXMgyHp— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 12, 2018
#RIPStanLee https://t.co/7iHk6mSCM2
— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan Lee. True legend. He spoke up against injustices through his stories; where good prevails over evil. It was an honor working for you. #stanlee https://t.co/qTXoRM3q0Q
— Jamie Chung (@jamiechung1) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan Lee. Maybe you have twitter in heaven. Thank you for making my childhood, teen years and adulthood so fun, especially during darker days.
— josh groban (@joshgroban) November 12, 2018
Mr @therealstanlee you inspired myself and the world through your amazing creations and limitless imagination! I am so honored and privileged to have had the opportunity to work with you a… https://t.co/a6y2URgTZw
— Chris Daughtry (@CHRIS_Daughtry) November 12, 2018
Stan Lee. A gentleman and a genius. It was an honor to be a small part of his universe. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/iZNtQRRqKD
— Kat Dennings (@OfficialKat) November 12, 2018
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF22YYF3W2/
Stan Lee created a spark that would go on to forever change Hollywood and the entire entertainment landscape. His positivity for both the fans, and a bigger brighter future for the characters he helped create, are what cemented his legacy. Say "hi" to The Watcher for us, Stan. pic.twitter.com/glJSvKeAVf
— Grace Randolph (@GraceRandolph) November 12, 2018
.@TheRealStanLee was a true New Yorker whose limitless imagination helped create some of the most beloved characters in popular culture and made NYC just as big of a character. Excelsior! Mr. Lee and condolences to his many fans on behalf of the New York Family.
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) November 12, 2018
Thank u Stan Lee for everything.
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) November 12, 2018
“With great power comes great responsibility.” RIP to the legend Stan Lee. I am so sad to hear about this. Never met the man but like millions I love his work. His characters brought joy to the world and inspired people to be the best version of themselves. Awful news. pic.twitter.com/8iTOKrEV57
— Matthew Berry (@MatthewBerryTMR) November 12, 2018
Permanent cameo in heaven. #RIPStanLee https://t.co/ZnIv2hXMVy
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 12, 2018
Saddened to hear about @TheRealStanLee’s passing. Condolences to his daughter.
— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) November 12, 2018
Rest in peace, Stan Lee. The many worlds of imagination & delight you created for humanity will last forever.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 12, 2018
RIP @TheRealStanLee He made everyone feel like a kid in his presence no matter what your age. pic.twitter.com/JYeWXq8iKb
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) November 12, 2018
Rest In Peace @TheRealStanLee 😢💔 Thank you for being such an inspiration and feeding our imagination with all your amazing characters and stories. ❤️
— Dimitri Vegas (@dimitrivegas) November 12, 2018
Thank You Stan Lee… for making my childhood so much more entertaining. RIP
— trey wingo (@wingoz) November 12, 2018
His contribution to Pop Culture was revolutionary & cannot be overstated. He was everything you hoped he would be & MORE. I loved this man & will never stop missing him. They say you should never meet a childhood idol. They are wrong. #RIPStanTheMan pic.twitter.com/6OKH07ahJg
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) November 12, 2018
Related: Stan Lee Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame