Coming as it did in the middle of the night, many people first learned – and found comfort – over the passing of the rock icon while surfing on Twitter. For many in Hollywood, the news broke into the Golden Globes post-game Tweets, while across the planet others opened their social accounts to find that a beloved hero was gone.
For those watching on Twitter, the night afforded the spectacle of waves of people learning the news and joining in the grief in real time. Here's how some in Hollywood responded, beginning with Rickey Gervais, just over an hour after stepping off-stage as host of the Golden Globes:
I just lost a hero. RIP David Bowie.
– Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) January 11, 2016
What? No just no.
– Blake Anderson (@UncleBlazer) January 11, 2016
This Bowie shit for real…?
– Anders Holm (@ders808) January 11, 2016
Oh God, rest in peace the genius that was David Bowie.
– bob saget (@bobsaget) January 11, 2016
Rip Father of all us freaks. Sad sad day. Love always Legendary singer David Bowie dies at 69 https://t.co/ezRx7NVhSC # via HuffPostEnt
– Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) January 11, 2016
oh no
– Andy Richter (@AndyRichter) January 11, 2016
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I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me – I was not ready for this. RIP Bowie.
– Al Yankovic (@alyankovic) January 11, 2016
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No. #DavidBowie
– Veruca Salt (@verucasalt) January 10, 2016
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Absolutely devastated by the death of Bowie. Cannot process this. At this point, the world makes no sense. RIP David. You were a genius.
– Paul Feig (@paulfeig) January 11, 2016
DEVASTATED…???? A LEGEND IS GONE??????
– Cher (@cher) January 11, 2016
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What? David Bowie died??? No!
– Michaela Watkins (@michaelaWat) January 11, 2016
Never imagined a world without him. He has ascended into the cosmos from whence he came. Farewell, David Bowie
– Elijah Wood (@elijahwood) January 11, 2016
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Oh no. Sad news. RIP David Bowie.
– Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) January 11, 2016
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????
– Aubrey Plaza (@evilhag) January 11, 2016
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I was just singing moonage daydream with @ZachVilla last night. #bowie. Now sobbing uncontrollably.
– #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) January 11, 2016
This tattoo of mine was always for #bowie and #aladdinsane. My heart is broken. pic.twitter.com/pmr5VyIh8P
– #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) January 11, 2016
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The world is now poorer. He leaves a hole in our heart. https://t.co/3rNVebnw7y
– Guillermo del Toro (@RealGDT) January 11, 2016
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This tattoo of mine was always for #bowie and #aladdinsane. My heart is broken. pic.twitter.com/pmr5VyIh8P
– #EvanRachelWould (@evanrachelwood) January 11, 2016
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What terribly sad news to wake up to. One of the immortals. #AshestoAshes
– Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) January 11, 2016
what the fuck just happened checking twitter after long dinner no no no no no
– Liz Phair (@PhizLair) January 11, 2016
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Im Devastated! This great Artist changed my life! First concert i ever saw in Detroit! R.IP. ?? #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/hGfxI967Bw
– Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
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So lucky to have met you!!!! Hot Tramp I love you So! ?? #rebelheart pic.twitter.com/INKPRCeofK
– Madonna (@Madonna) January 11, 2016
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My whole young life I laid on the carpet in my room listening to Bowie & feeling my mind & heart open up Inspired me more than I can express
– Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) January 11, 2016
Paul on @DavidBowieReal https://t.co/KVxmjBdYT1 pic.twitter.com/aNJi3BjAuv
– Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) January 11, 2016
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“I wish the goblin king would take you away right now. And I wouldn't go after you, I'd just marry David Bowie. The end.” -my sister, 1986
– Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) January 11, 2016
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The Rolling Stones are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of the death of our dear friend David Bowie… 1/2
– The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) January 11, 2016
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As well as being a wonderful and kind man, he was an extraordinary artist, and a true original. 2/2 #DavidBowie
– The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) January 11, 2016
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I wish he could have stayed on earth longer. RIP #DavidBowie pic.twitter.com/jnYLaaootw
– J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 11, 2016
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I grew up listening to and watching the pop genius David Bowie. He was a master of re-invention, who kept getting it right. A huge loss.
– David Cameron (@David_Cameron) January 11, 2016
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Saddened to hear David Bowie has lost his battle with cancer – his music was an inspiration to many. @DavidBowieReal
– Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) January 11, 2016
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David Bowie: The cleverest and most interestingly brilliant man of our time. What a vacuum he leaves, and how he will be missed. Roger
– Queen Official (@QueenWillRock) January 11, 2016
MESSAGE FROM IGGY: “David”s friendship was the light of my life. I never met such a brilliant person. He was the best there is. – Iggy Pop”
– Iggy Pop (@IggyPop) January 11, 2016
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David was always an inspiration to me and a true original. He was wonderfully shameless in his work. 1/2
– Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2016
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We had so many good times together. He was my friend, I will never forget him. 2/2 pic.twitter.com/9xfPj88x8b
– Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) January 11, 2016
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Brian Eno on David Bowie's passing. pic.twitter.com/qHsaDA9RPq
– Chanders (@Chanders) January 11, 2016
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David Bowie has died.
– Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) January 11, 2016