Actors, directors, comic book artists and more took to social media Monday to pay tribute to legendary writer, editor and publisher of Marvel Comics Stan Lee, who died Monday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He was 95.
He began his career at Marvel in the 1960s. Lee was known for giving Marvel superheroes personalities in addition to their power. He wrote, art-directed and edited most of Marvel’s series and newspaper strips. He additionally penned a monthly comics column, “Stan’s Soapbox.” The column always concluded with his signature phrase, “Excelsior!”
Many of Lee’s characters have made appearances on TV and in films, including the Avengers blockbusters.
Disney CEO Bob Iger issued a statement Monday paying tribute to the late creator. “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.”
Marvel’s Kevin Feige praised Lee’s legacy in a tribute sent Monday morning: “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 the millions of fans who have been forever touched by Stan’s genius, charisma and heart. Excelsior!”
DC Comics addressed Lee’s passing on the company’s Twitter account. “He changed the way we look at heroes, and modern comics will always bear his indelible mark,” the company wrote. “His infectious enthusiasm reminded us why we all fell in love with these stories in the first place. Excelsior, Stan.”
Sony Pictures Entertainment’s Motion Picture Group chairman Tom Rothman said of Lee’s passing: “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.”
Walt Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn said: “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.”
Shane Duffy, CEO of Stan Lee’s POW! Entertainment, said: “We at Stan Lee’s Lee POW! Entertainment are saddened by the loss of our friend and mentor Stan Lee, the father of pop culture. His passing today marks a devastating and painful moment in time, but the legacy of Stan Lee, through his creative genius and his universes of characters, will continue to reach the world of true believers for generations to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and the fans of not only his work, but of him, as a friend who made the world a better place. He was a true iconic pioneer with no comparable second. It has been an honor to work beside him.”
Publicist Dawn Miller, who worked with Stan Lee for many years, said: “Stan Lee was a tremendous character that will never be forgotten. He brought joy to so many, the world has lost a true legend. I feel honored to have worked with him for so many years, may he rest in peace.”
Ryan Reynolds, who has portrayed Marvel character Deadpool in two films, wrote on Twitter: “Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything.”
Scarlett Johansson, who has portrayed Black Widow in the Avengers franchise, said of Lee’s death: “The galaxy just gained another Dog Star. Thankful everyday to be a small part of Stan’s universe. He was a legendary visionary and a true artist.”
Edgar Wright, who produced the film based on Lee’s character Ant-Man, also posted a tribute on Twitter. “Thanks for inspiring so many of us to pick up a pen or pencil and put your dreams onto paper. Excelsior!” he wrote.
Jason Lee, who appeared with Stan Lee (no relation) in Kevin Smith’s Mallrats, told THR, “Meeting Stan Lee and getting to work with him was an absolute pleasure. The thing that struck me the most about him was the fact that he was never without a smile. He had an abundance of energy and it was infectious. For someone of his stature and influence to be so gracious and full of joy greatly impacted me.”
Man of Action Entertainment’s Steven T. Seagle reflected on his professional relationship with Lee. “I first met Stan Lee in 1981 when he and Jack Kirby came to the Colorado Springs Mile High Comics to sign the hardcover Silver Surfer (which I still have), I was 16 years old and star-struck. 32 years later I wound up working with Stan regularly as he voiced himself on the MARVEL cartoons that my MAN OF ACTION company produced and wrote,” he said in a statement.
“One day Stan came in looking a little glum,” Seagle continued. “I asked him what was wrong. He held out his record script to me and joked that we never gave him enough lines! He had to get dressed up and drive across the valley and come in and it would be nice if his character – STAN THE SCHOOL JANITOR on ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN – had more lines once in a while! I promised him that we’d hook him up,” he shared. “So we immediately outlined an episode for Stan where we revealed that Stan the School Janitor was secretly a retired SHIELD AGENT placed in the school to watch over Peter Parker. Stan was in the full 22 minutes, and more than that, he was kicking ass as an old guy! We worked with my buddy Joe Fallon on that script and Joe had the great idea of lifting a bunch of the phrases Stan wrote in his old SOAPBOX columns and inserting them as lines of dialogue for his character.”
“Stan occasionally got tongue twisted on the regular dialogue lines, but he had no absolutely no trouble with the Tumultuous Turns of Frenetic Phraseology that Joe inserted,” Seagle concluded. “My Condolences to his many admirers, friends, and family.”
Today, we pause and reflect with great sadness on the passing of Stan Lee: https://t.co/J0cwgdn677 pic.twitter.com/eOBdZAqdZ0
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) November 12, 2018
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
“And so a legend is born and a new name is added to the roster of those who make the world of fantasy the most exciting realm of all!” RIP Stan. (1922-2018) pic.twitter.com/0jOooqHve0
— Spider-Man (@SpiderManMovie) November 12, 2018
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
Sad, sad day. Rest In Power, Uncle Stan. You have made the world a better place through the power of modern mythology and your love of this messy business of being human… pic.twitter.com/x6yZ6ClNSX
— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) November 12, 2018
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
Thank you @TheRealStanLee for the escape from this world & great joy inhabiting the ones you created!! You made so many believe in the good, the heroic, the villainous, the exciting, most of all, you were giving & gracious to us all. RIP
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) November 12, 2018
Today we lost one of the greats. @TheRealStanLee, you were a inspiration and superhero to us all. Thank you for contributing so much- and giving us all something to aspire to!
#ripstanlee pic.twitter.com/GzFhwgU0WA— Zoe Saldana (@zoesaldana) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan. Thank you for your brilliance. pic.twitter.com/FIZEt2B5vN
— Karen Gillan (@karengillan) November 12, 2018
You were a man before your time… now it feels like you are gone before your time. RIP Stan the Man… thanks for the laughs and words of support. It’s a honor to live in your universe! #MarvelKnight pic.twitter.com/1TXdPqUB3x
— Anthony Mackie (@AnthonyMackie) November 12, 2018
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
Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
Saddened to learn about the passing of Stan Lee. From watching Marvel films with friends in college to having the privilege to take on one of his characters in @BlackPanther, Stan’s creative genius sparked my imagination & left me in awe. His legacy will carry on. #StanLeeForever pic.twitter.com/z6FEnv6tLv
— Lupita Nyong’o (@Lupita_Nyongo) November 13, 2018
Now that was a life well lived and lived to its fullest. Excelsior! 1922-2018
Thank you Stan Lee, from all your fans.— Paul Bettany (@Paul_Bettany) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan Lee ! You’re a legend my friend #rip #stanlee https://t.co/k0CRqjjjdA
— Jeremy Renner (@Renner4Real) November 12, 2018
Taking a moment to thank the great @therealstanlee for his kindness and allowing me to play one of his favorite characters. The experience I had on #thefantasticfour playing #suestorm… https://t.co/tr0PHPn01P
— Jessica Alba (@jessicaalba) November 12, 2018
#StanLee created one of the first characters I ever played on film. And more characters than I can count who have inspired me and my kids. #RIPStan #legend
— Elizabeth Banks (@ElizabethBanks) November 12, 2018
THANK YOU, @TheRealStanLee. You gave us characters that continue to stand the test of time and evolve with our consciousness. You taught us that there are no limits to our future as long as we have access to our imagination. Rest in power! #EXCELSIOR #StanLee #rip pic.twitter.com/hnSmnHIDln
— Winston Duke (@Winston_Duke) November 12, 2018
Rest in Peace Stan Lee
— Letitia Wright (@letitiawright) November 12, 2018
I believe with all my heart that #StanLee would want to be celebrated today. Even through your tears, let’s flood the internet with all the artwork, good, great or awful, that’s ever been created in Stan’s name. #BreakTheInternetForStan #ArtForStan@MarvelStudios @Marvel pic.twitter.com/w9pyY18sZ5
— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) November 12, 2018
RIP #StanLee – thank you for sharing your incredible vision with us. We are eternally grateful to you and would not be the same without it. I am so honored to have played a part in your world, and will forever look back on the opportunity with love. #XMen #Storm pic.twitter.com/pKfxHMUKmP
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) 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
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
At age 7, I drew this weird portrait of Stan Lee and asked my Mom to send it to him. Thankfully she didn’t because 30+ years later, I got to give it to the great one in person. Thanks for all the fun Stan #Excelsior pic.twitter.com/IpfYBSjWyf
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) 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 #stanleepic.twitter.com/dw3FXMgyHp— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 12, 2018
RIP Stan. Thank you for all your joy and light. You created worlds and universes for us all to play in. Hope you’re laughing wherever you are. pic.twitter.com/1aXYxAeHC6
— Channing Tatum (@channingtatum) November 13, 2018
Stan Lee created a universe where, if a character was beloved enough, they could never really die.
Now THAT’S thinking ahead.
Thanks for so much of my life. You’ll never not be in it.
— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 12, 2018
With Stan Lee, at The Hollywood Bowl in 2012. Rest In Peace Stan!
Photo by: @RossHalfin pic.twitter.com/q4it26yIRZ
— Joe Perry (@JoePerry) 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
Fans keep linking pictures of me and Stan and I can’t stop crying. He was so kind to everyone, especially young artists. He made it seem like your dreams were possible even if you were a misfit. ESPECIALLY if you were a misfit. #RIPStan you will be so so missed. pic.twitter.com/ezcTg2OAm3
— Felicia Day (@feliciaday) November 12, 2018
I’ll miss our kisses. Thanks for always being so encouraging. The ultimate gentleman. Until again, kind sir… pic.twitter.com/JTEEb07pZd
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 12, 2018
I was first interviewed for Stan Lee’s obituary about 20 years ago. I was happy he defied the reaper and carried on. With Stan gone, an era really does come to an end. He was the happy huckster that comics needed. And he really did alliterate like that when you talked to him.
— Neil Gaiman (@neilhimself) November 12, 2018
Farewell, my friend. You’re not only responsible for the boy I was, but also the man I am today. I will miss you all my days. Read it all here: https://t.co/3ni6SLKhWW pic.twitter.com/6naCfXP7HO
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) 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
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
Overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the late, great hero, Stan Lee. Rest In Paradise. Thank you for your imagination, creativity, tenacity, inspiration and love!!! https://t.co/4WqHCtDXE1
— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) November 12, 2018
Heartbroken.@TheRealStanLee represents the best of us. How grateful I am for his existence and influence. He lived to see his creations shape the world, and his legacy will inspire generations to come. But I’ll miss him. EXCELCIOR!!https://t.co/5MMhLiZZ4C
— Seth Green (@SethGreen) 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
Me interviewing Stan Lee at Marvel HQ in NYC, February 2014. Afterwards, cameras off, he said, “Boy you’re good. That was a great interview.” I’m sure he did this with everyone, but it’s one of those moments I’ll never forget. pic.twitter.com/GPLPRpJ0q9
— Ryan Penagos (@AgentM) November 12, 2018
I want to share my final interview I did with Stan. He will be sorely missed and I cherish all the time I got to spend with him.
Watch: https://t.co/95PjEqh35w pic.twitter.com/rBGdrUCAL8
— Larry King (@kingsthings) November 12, 2018
I had the great fortune to spend time with Stan Lee. He invented a comic book character for me called “the replicator”. Who could create multiples of himself. He had a twin with the same power. Good vs Evil. Stan you were a one of a kind and all good. RIP
— ashton kutcher (@aplusk) November 13, 2018
RIP my friend. 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 #stanlee #legend pic.twitter.com/pTGY8Ffieg
— Chris Hemsworth (@chrishemsworth) November 13, 2018
RIP Stan Lee pic.twitter.com/g3K4PeAXet
— Guns N’ Roses (@gunsnroses) November 13, 2018
