George Clooney, Ralph Macchio Among Stars Mourning Jerry Weintraub

George Clooney is among the Hollywood stars mourning legendary producer Jerry Weintraub, who died Monday at 77.

“In the coming days there will be tributes, about our friend Jerry Weintraub. We’ll laugh at his great stories, and applaud his accomplishments. And in the years to come the stories and accomplishments will get better with age, just as Jerry would have wanted it. But not today. Today our friend died,” Clooney said in a statement. “To his family and friends, Amal and I send our love. And to those who didn’t know him we send our deepest sympathy. You would have loved him.”

Gabe Polsky, who produced The Way, said: “I am in a state of shock. At times like these you start to recall all the memories. Imagine making a picture about Jerry Weintraub, one of the biggest producers ever, and you’re producing the film about him? It wasn’t an easy process, but my brother and I learned a lot of lessons. Each interview was, in itself, a lecture about how to do things in the business and in life. We were lucky to be part of that. He was incredibly supportive of my brother and I. If there were any questions we had, or issues, he would always immediately returns calls, and if he was in town he would have us over, and was always there. He played a lot of different roles — for me, he was at times like a coach, at times even a father figure, a colleague obviously and even sometimes a little adversarial. But he was a one of a kind guy — he was a really special guy that taught me a lot. I was fortunate enough to be able to spend quite a bit of time with him and witness his talents up close.”

Weintraub produced Ocean’s Eleven and its two sequels.

“He was an absolute original. I loved him and will genuinely miss him,” Brad Pitt said in a statement.

Pitt’s Ocean’s Eleven co-star Don Cheadle said in a statement, “Jerry was to me equal parts Godfather, rainmaker, caretaker, PT Barnum and friend. I am happier for having known him. He will be sorely missed.”

The Weintraub-produced miniseries Behind the Candelabra earned acclaim for HBO.

“Jerry was part of our family and we are devastated by his passing,” HBO CEO Richard Plepler and president of programming Michael Lombardo said in a joint statement. “He was not only an incredibly gifted producer but a singular life force. He made everything we did together a joy. There is a great hole left without him.”

Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara also mourned the producer.

“Jerry Weintraub was the consummate producer. He was creative, driven and could make projects come together like nobody else in the business,” said Tsujihara in a statement.  “Warner Bros. was fortunate to have a relationship with Jerry for almost four decades, including several projects currently in production.  He was a true original and he will be deeply missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his loved ones.”

Weintraub also produced all five Karate Kid films, including the original three starring Ralph Macchio, who took to Twitter to remember Weintraub.

So sad at loss of Jerry Weintraub, you were 1 of a kind, my friend. Last of a breed. So glad I got to be “that kid” pic.twitter.com/ebN7p8ptUL

— Ralph Macchio (@ralphmacchio) July 6, 2015

And even former president George H.W. Bush remembered Weintraub, with whom he was friends.

Statement by President @GeorgeHWBush on the passing of Hollywood producer and close friend Jerry Weintraub: pic.twitter.com/IKOBCogUYZ

— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) July 6, 2015

Douglas McGrath, the director of Weintraub documentary His Way, said: “They always say, ‘They don’t make them like that anymore,’ but I’m not sure they ever made them like Jerry. There was just Jerry, a total one-off: giant heart, endless energy, tough, sweet, smart and really, really funny.”

Read on to see what else Hollywood is saying about Weintraub on social media.

To my great sorrow, my friend and former producer Jerry Weintraub has died suddenly. He was loved And admired. God bless him.

— William Friedkin (@WilliamFriedkin) July 6, 2015

Shocked to learn of the passing of Jerry Weintraub. I just saw him last week. This is a great loss to show business, what a legend.

— Larry King (@kingsthings) July 6, 2015

He has stopped talking. RIP Jerry Weintraub.

— Dana Brunetti (@DanaBrunetti) July 6, 2015

J Weintraub also passed away! RIP.. Truly incredible man. His book – essential reading for anyone interested in the entertainment industry.

— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) July 6, 2015

Jerry Weintraub is larger than life. He was a giant in Hollywood & his heart was so big it lit up the town. My thoughts are with his family.

— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 6, 2015