Avengers stars lead tributes to Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee
The entertainment world is in mourning following legendary creative's death at the age of 95
Stars from across the entertainment world have joined forces to pay tribute to comic book legend Stan Lee, who has died at the age of 95.
Marvel and The Walt Disney Company confirmed in a statement the sad news that Lee, who served as a writer, Editor-in-Chief and eventually publisher of Marvel Comics, had passed away.
“Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created. A super hero 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,” said Bob Iger, Chairman and CEO of The Walt Disney Company.
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Iger’s sentiments were reflected by many of the actors who brought Marvel’s most famous characters to life on screen.
“There will never be another Stan Lee,” said Chris Evans, aka Captain America. “He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives.”
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
“Rest in Power, Uncle Stan,” Evans’ Avengers co-star Mark Ruffalo wrote. “You let us be extra human… superhuman even,” the Hulk actor added.
You let us be extra human… superhuman even. I am deeply honored to have been a small part in the Stan Lee constellation. pic.twitter.com/qmCrNHXUy1
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 12, 2018
“I owe it all to you,” Robert Downey Jr, aka Iron Man Tony Stark, wrote on Instagram.
Thor actor Chris Hemsworth shared a picture of Lee in the character’s helmet, sporting the Norse God’s hammer, Mjolnir. “Thank you for the incredible adventures your stories took all of us on,” he wrote.
Spider-Man star Tom Holland said the “father of Marvel has made so many people so incredibly happy” and added that he was “indebted” to Lee.
Paul Bettany, who originally voiced Iron Man’s Jarvis before going on to play Avenger Vision, celebrated Lee’s life, which he said was “well live and lived to its fullest”.
Now that was a life well lived and lived to its fullest. Excelsior! 1922-1918
Thank you Stan Lee, from all your fans.— Paul Bettany (@Paul_Bettany) November 12, 2018
They were joined by Black Panther stars Letitia Wright and Angela Bassett, who also shared their sadness at Lee’s passing on Twitter.
Rest in Peace Stan Lee
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— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) November 12, 2018
Onward and upward to greater glory! Excelsior! Good man, Excelsior! https://t.co/rXLCmk4uiS pic.twitter.com/oQ89AKfkao
— Angela Bassett (@ImAngelaBassett) November 12, 2018
Guardians of The Galaxy’s Karen Gillan thanked the Marvel creative for his “genius”, sharing a picture she’d taken with him on set.
RIP Stan. Thank you for your brilliance. pic.twitter.com/FIZEt2B5vN
— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) November 12, 2018
Josh Brolin, who plays Avengers villain Thanos, said that he had been “deeply affected by the humanity of his imagination, the understanding of reaching beyond our potential and the necessity of tapping into our immeasurable imaginations”.
Evangeline Lilly, aka The Wasp of Ant-Man and The Wasp fame, described Lee as a “master of living” and encouraged fans to break the internet in his honour.
Stan…more than a master of stories, you always seemed like a master of living. I will look to you for inspiration for the rest of my life. You live on. xoxo Your Wasp
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#liveon #StanLee pic.twitter.com/JRA2aRM3bG— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) November 12, 2018
“We’ve lost a creative genius,” wrote Hugh Jackman, who played X-Men character Wolverine for more than a decade.
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
Deadpool actor Ryan Reynolds kept it short and sweet, sharing a snap of Lee with a simple “thanks for everything”.
Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
“It was an honor to be a small part of his universe,” said Two Broke Girls actress Kat Dennings, who played Dr Jane Foster’s intern, Darcy Lewis, in Thor sequel The Dark World.
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
Kevin Feige, the current president of Marvel Studios, said that Lee’s “extraordinary legacy” would “outlive us all”.
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
Marvel’s rival, DC Comics, also paid tribute to Lee, who worked on several Just Imagine titles with them in the 2000s. “He changed the way we look at heroes and modern comics will always bear his indelible mark,” the company said.
He changed the way we look at heroes, and modern comics will always bear his indelible mark. His infectious enthusiasm reminded us why we all fell in love with these stories in the first place. Excelsior, Stan.
— DC (@DCComics) November 12, 2018
Lee’s impact upon the wider sci-fi world is reflected in the countless tributes pouring in from stars of numerous franchises.
Star Trek’s George Takei said Lee’s stories will “live on and continue to ignite the imaginations of generations to come”.
He inspired millions with his myriad, “Marvelous” characters, from Spiderman to Black Panther, Thor to the X-Men. Legendary creator Stan Lee is dead at 95. But his stories will live on and continue to ignite the imaginations of generations to come. Rest with the stars, great sir.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 12, 2018
And Star Wars actor Mark Hamill paid tribute to a man who he dubbed a “childhood idol”.
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
Actor and writer Seth Rogen thanked Lee for “making people who feel different realise they are special”.
Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) November 12, 2018
— stan lee (@TheRealStanLee) November 12, 2018
Excelsior indeed.
