Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Ryan Reynolds and More Pay Tribute to Comic Book Legend Stan Lee

Superheroes and Hollywood figures alike took to social media on Monday to pay tribute to comic book legend Stan Lee, who died on Monday at age 95.

Lee co-created iconic Marvel superheroes including Black Panther, Thor, Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, and X-Men.

Disney chairman and CEO Bob Iger said, “Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created. A superhero in his own right to Marvel fans around the world, Stan had the power to inspire, to entertain and to connect. The scale of his imagination was only exceeded by the size of his heart.”

Disney Studios chairman Alan Horn also honored Lee’s legacy saying, “It’s impossible to overstate Stan’s influence on popular culture. I was able to get to know Stan over these past several years through his work with Marvel Studios, and was always impressed by his irrepressible energy and vitality. We’ve lost a true creator. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Ryan Reynolds, who plays Deadpool in Marvel’s X-Men franchise, shared a picture of Lee’s cameo in the latest “Deadpool” movie. “Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything,” he wrote.

Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, emphasized Lee’s importance to his own career. “No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee,” Feige wrote. “Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and his millions of fans.”

Captain America himself Chris Evans wrote, “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.” He ended the tribute with a lively “excelsior!!” in a nod to Lee’s signature sign off.

Robert Downey Jr., who first began portraying Iron Man in 2008 and launched the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, posted a picture on Instagram with Lee. “Owe it all to you,” he wrote. “Rest in peace Stan.”

“Wolverine” star Hugh Jackman posted a photo with Lee and wrote, “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.”

“Guardians of the Galaxy” star Chris Pratt also posted a picture with Lee and thanked him for the world he created: “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.”

Tom Rothman, chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment’s motion pictures group, the studio behind “Spider-Man: Homecoming,” said, “Original and genius are two very overused words in the world today, but Stan was both. Add irrepressible and irreplaceable, and you begin to describe the man. We have all lost a true superhero. We will greatly miss our friendly neighborhood Stan Lee.”

Tom Holland, who plays Marvel’s latest iteration of Spiderman wrote, “How many millions of us are indebted to this guy, none more so than me. The father of Marvel has made so many people so incredibly happy. What a life and what a thing to have achieved. Rest in peace Stan.”

Actor Jeremy Renner who plays Hawkeye in the “Avengers” franchise honored Stan Lee with a picture of the two posing together. “RIP Stan Lee ! You’re a legend my friend,” Renner wrote.

Actor Kevin Smith, a lifelong fan of Marvel, penned a long message to Lee on Instagram, thanking him for the impact he had on his childhood and calling him a “modern day Mark Twain.”

View this post on Instagram

This is how I’ll always see you, @therealstanlee: as our benevolent leader and king, smiling down from your eternal throne on the generations of imaginations you fed and inspired. You were the first creator whose voice I knew before I’d ever actually heard it. You dreamed up some of my favorite modern myths and created characters that instilled in me a moral barometer, teaching me right from wrong and showing me it’s always better to be a hero instead of a villain. Your characters represented us: yes, they had extraordinary, unbelievable abilities, but they were also reflections of a world we knew, where a Spider-Man is really just a boy who wants to help. You showed me how to interact with the audience whenever you stepped onto Stan’s Soapbox to reach out to the readers. You showed me how to advocate for my field beyond the actual art itself whenever you tub thumped for comic books outside of the medium. It was never enough for you to simply make a comic because you were a true salesman at heart. So you not only sold comics, you sold me *on* comics – so much so that I built a life and career around your dreams and ideals. When you did Mallrats with us, you not only made a lifelong fan’s dream come true, you also lent me comic book credibility that I still get to spend today. And whether it was for @comicbookmenamc or @yogahosers, whenever I asked to borrow your heat again, you were always there for me with a smile. Your love story with Joanie and your long, happy marriage always shined as an example of what I wanted for my personal life. I long admired (and emulated) your kindness and patience and sense of humor when dealing with your public. Outside of my parents, you were the one adult who gave me the most useful life skills I still use today. Thank you, Stan, for making me not only the boy I was but also the man I am today. You had great power and you always used it responsibly, fostering billions of dreamers who all know your name – a name written in the stars for all time. You were not just the literary titan of comic books, you were our modern day Mark Twain. I will miss you all my days, my friend and hero. Excelsior forevermore. #KevinSmith #StanLee

A post shared by Kevin Smith (@thatkevinsmith) on Nov 12, 2018 at 12:22pm PST

Comic book writer Gail Simone shared her own heartfelt experiences with Lee, calling him a “real human being” who changed her life every time she met him.

On the Hollywood Walk of Fame, fans also took time to honor Lee by laying flowers alongside his star. A floral wreath also appeared, complete with a black sash and the comic book writer’s name written in gold.

Read more reactions below:

View this post on Instagram

R.I.P. Stan Lee. We have lost a Titan of Creativity and Industry. These are my last photos with Stan, taken in August at his home by Jon Bollerjack. I was summoned by “The Man”, he wanted a friendly face, a change of pace. I was up the next day. He was peaceful and comfortable and in great spirits. He sat in his favorite chair overlooking his pool and the beautiful canyons. I thanked him for being a visionary, not just creatively, but being a visionary in bringing Marvel to Hollywood, knowing how well they would be served by tv and film. Kids of the 1970’s, kids my age grew up with The Hulk tv show, live action Spider Man TV movies, Dr. Strange film on CBS. It was an exciting time and it was a result of Stan’s decision to travel west and present the Marvel characters to Hollywood. He started the Marvel Age Of Comics as well as the Marvel Age Of Film that we enjoy today. I have many stories from my history and travels with Stan. We never had a better Ambassador. And we won’t ever see another like him. All I know is the Good Lord has pulled up a chair and Stan is currently bending all the ears in the heaven’s with his amazing tales and lore. They are hanging on his every word and sentence. #stanlee #marvel #hulk #fantasticfour #xmen #spiderman #thor #excelsior

A post shared by RobertLiefeld (@robliefeld) on Nov 12, 2018 at 11:24am PST

Related: Stan Lee Receives a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame