Celebrities took to twitter in their droves overnight to mark the passing of comedic legend and pioneer Garry Shandling, a small indication of just how influential he was. The 66-year-old reportedly died of heart complications in LA yesterday.
Speaking in a statement to Us Weekly, Judd Apatow lead tributes with the following: ""Garry would see the ridiculousness of me being asked to sum up his life five minutes after being told of his passing. It is a perfect, ridiculous Larry Sanders moment. I can imagine how Hank would handle it but I just don't know how to sum up someone I loved so much who taught me everything I know and was always so kind to me. I am just too sad. Maybe tomorrow I will do better."
Others, including Ricky Gervais, Jimmy Kimmel, Amy Schumer and countless more expressed their sorry on social media.
RIP the great Garry Shandling. Surely, one of the most influential comedians of a generation.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) March 24, 2016
Shocked and saddened to hear about Garry Shandling's sudden death. I was honored to get to work with him. He will be missed.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling was as kind and generous as he was funny and that is saying a lot.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 24, 2016
Nooooo!!! I love Garry Shandling. So sad!! #pioneer
— josh groban (@joshgroban) March 24, 2016
Goodbye Gary Shandling thank you for your kindness and your generosity and for making me laugh so damn much
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) March 24, 2016
Heartbreaking news about Garry Shandling. Just heartbreaking.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) March 24, 2016
Saddened over Garry Shandling. He was a comedy idol of mine. He leaves behind the greatest single-camera comedy of all time. #LarrySanders
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 24, 2016
Today I will sing the theme song to the #garyshandlingshow on repeat #ripgaryshandling
— Sarah Michelle (@SarahMGellar) March 24, 2016
The world has lost a comedy giant. An all time great. Hey Now Garry Shandling pic.twitter.com/vXaQW9wM6B
— Howard Stern (@HowardStern) March 24, 2016
No!!! Not #GaryShandling!! I am devastated. Grew up with Larry Sanders. Can't process this. RIP. Beyond sad. Thoughts are with his family.
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) March 24, 2016
Had the pleasure of meeting/ hanging with Garry Shandling a few times & he was a gentleman & obviously so deeply funny. RIP.
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) March 24, 2016
The King family is shocked & saddened by Garry Shandling's passing. Brilliant, funny & genuinely kind. A very rare combination.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling was a very special comedian with a beautifully unpredictable mind. He even voluntarily offered jokes and ideas for Oscars.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) March 24, 2016
Sunday, my longtime friend Garry Shandling was here, making every1 laugh. I loved him. I'll miss our talks the most. pic.twitter.com/Ud8AQXNBXN
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 24, 2016
Gary Shandling was a comedy hero of mine. He once sent me a thank you note that read, "Thanks for nothing." RIP https://t.co/DmCy2JZcGj
— Zach Braff (@zachbraff) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling was one of my absolute favourites and ahead of his time. So sad.
— Jemaine Clement (@AJemaineClement) March 24, 2016
The great Garry Shandling's work is such a touchstone for me that I was actually discussing him moments before I heard the sad news. RIP
— Stephen Merchant (@StephenMerchant) March 24, 2016
Finally, Conan made this tribute to the man.
