Monday afternoon, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed a TMZ report that Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee, the man who co-created many of the publisher’s most popular superhero characters, had died early in the morning in Los Angeles. Lee, who was 95 years old, leaves behind a massive pop culture legacy that not only extends across the world of comic books, but also delves deep into television, film and other media. His influence even had a strong effect on modern hip-hop, and more.
So it should come as no surprise that Lee’s many fans and collaborators — people of all ages, shapes, sizes and walks of life — were quick to pay him tribute on social media. This was especially true of Marvel Studios President and CEO Kevin Feige and the many actors, directors and writers whose work had put them on a crash course with Lee himself in recent years. “Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all,” he wrote on Twitter.
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
Iron Man himself, actor Robert Downey Jr., posted an old photo of himself and Lee on a movie set on Instagram. “I owe it all to you,” he wrote. “Rest in peace Stan.”
Others quickly followed suit across social media, paying their respects to Lee while thanking him for allowing them to be a part of his massive legacy.
https://twitter.com/ChrisEvans/status/1062066692631732224
Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
https://twitter.com/MrStephenOyoung/status/1062065769834377217
Otherwise, pretty much anyone who had ever read an issue of Marvel Comics or seen one of the many television and film adaptations went online to express just what Lee’s work meant to them.
"Bigotry and racism are among the deadliest social ills plaguing the world today." "A story without a message… is like a man without a soul."
RIP Stan Lee #StansSoapbox pic.twitter.com/S8PvuDassx
— jen yamato (@jenyamato) November 12, 2018
Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) November 12, 2018
Marvel Comics didn't just entertain me as a kid. They were the first thing in my life that made me feel ok being a depressed oddball with a big head and mis-shaped joints. Peter Parker got made fun of in school more than I did. The X-Men were BORN THAT WAY. RIP + thanks Stan Lee
— Chris Gethard (@ChrisGethard) November 12, 2018
— Jackie Leonard (@JackieLeonard01) November 12, 2018