Born Stanley Martin Lieber, Stan Lee has left behind him a legacy that will live on for many years to come. He started out working for a comic-book company in 1939 at the age of 17. In 1961, Timely Comics became Marvel Comics, and he and illustrator Jack Kirby began to make create the well known superheroes we know today, from Fantastic Four to the X-Men.
Overnight, many celebrities have been paying tribute to Lee, including rival comic-book makers, DC Comics.
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
Luke Skywalker, Mark Hamill.
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
Chris Evans, who plays Captain America.
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
Zoe Saldana, who plays Gamora in 'Guardians of the Galaxy'.
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
Iconic late-night chat show host Larry King, who was the last person to interview Lee.
We lost a real-life superhero today. Stan Lee was a visionary, who elevated imaginations across the globe. I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with him. Rest peacefully, Stan. pic.twitter.com/Ie2S18y0A0
— Larry King (@kingsthings) November 12, 2018
Ryan Reynolds, who met Lee for the first time on the set of 'Deadpool'.
Damn... RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
Novelist Neil Gaiman, who describes Lee as a "happy huckster."
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
Kat Dennings, who starred in the first two 'Thor' movies.
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
Actor George Takei, who told Lee to "Rest with the stars, great sir."
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
Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman says he is "proud to have been a small part of his legacy."
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
Director Edgar Wright.
Stan Lee, RIP. Thanks for inspiring so many of us to pick up a pen or pencil and put your dreams onto paper. Excelsior! pic.twitter.com/L33eTjUQdI
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) November 12, 2018
'X-Men' actor Halle Berry says she "will forever look back on the opportunity with love."
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
'Guardians of the Galaxy' lead man Chris Pratt.
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
NASA who paid tribute to the comic-book creator by tweeting a "look into the universe."
We’re saddened by the loss of @TheRealStanLee, a visionary who created a universe of superheroes and comics. In his honor, here’s a deep-field look into the universe from our @NASAHubble Space Telescope. #Excelsior pic.twitter.com/9UHjyXwIkh
— NASA (@NASA) November 12, 2018
Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson described Lee as "A true icon."
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 #stanlee ? pic.twitter.com/dw3FXMgyHp— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) November 12, 2018
Here's a look back at Stan Lee giving an interview on Conan O'Brien in 1995. The comic-book writer talks about his 50 years of work, and how he started out by writing celebrity obituaries.
