Stars of stage and screen pay tribute to actor Sam Shepard

Stars of stage and screen have been paying their respects to veteran actor and playwright Sam Shepard who passed away last Thursday at the age of 73, due to complications arising from a neurological disease known as ALS. 

The Oscar-nominated actor was best known for his roles in 1983 outer-space drama The Right Stuff alongside Dennis Quaid and Ed Harris, and his play Buried Child, for which he won the Pulitzer Prize for drama in 1979.

He was much beloved in Hollywood, and since the news broke, tributes from his former colleagues and admirers in the industry have been pouring out on Twitter.

Literally bumped into Sam Shepard many years ago, both of us on our way to see Pillow Man on Broadway. We had a great chat/walk. #hero RIP

— Don Cheadle (@DonCheadle) July 31, 2017

Wearing my cowboy boots and raising a glass tonight in honor of the great Sam Shepard.

— Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) August 1, 2017

Sam Shepard was a towering figure in American theater and film. He indeed had "the right stuff." His voice will truly be missed. https://t.co/gkkK8KHxum

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) July 31, 2017

So sad to hear about Sam Shepard passing. A truly original actor and an incredible writer. Sending love to his family. ?#RIP

— Reese Witherspoon (@RWitherspoon) July 31, 2017

Sam Shepard. Whenever he came on-screen, you knew you were in good hands. A frame from "Days of Heaven." May he rest in love. pic.twitter.com/DQc0fy7EqN

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) July 31, 2017

Sam Shepard asked politely if he could rewrite his dialogue for this scene. He showed up w 1 page. Typewritten. Simple. Perfect. I framed it pic.twitter.com/snB4iXZVt0

— Jim Mickle (@Mickle_Jim) July 31, 2017

Goodby to Sam Shepard, a true American icon of letters. "Is that a man?" "You're damn right is is!"

— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) July 31, 2017

Heartbroken…Sam Shepard has died. 2x @TheTonyAwards-nom’d playwright was an original voice and a theatre legend. https://t.co/D99L7zdXL4 pic.twitter.com/v1ykYi2Mzu

— The Tony Awards (@TheTonyAwards) July 31, 2017

Shepard most recently guest starred in the Netflix thriller series Bloodline with Linda Cardellini and Kyle Chandler and Jeff Nichols’ sci-fi film Midnight Special in 2016.