Stan Lee, the co-creator and writer of Marvel Comics, died on Monday in Los Angeles at the age of 95, according to The New York Times. A slew of celebrities including actor Winston Duke, director James Wan and NBA superstar LeBron James shared their condolences on social media.
Kirk Schenck, an attorney for Lee’s daughter, Joan Celia, confirmed his death at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.
Lee was born in New York City in December 1922. At 17, he began his career in comics at Timely Comics, a division of Martin Goodman’s publishing company.
Timely later developed into Marvel Comics with the birth of The Fantastic Four in November 1961.
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The 95-year-old remained a figurehead at the Marvel for more than five decades. Even after his retirement, he continued to give lectures and make cameos in all of the Marvel movies.
The comic book writer is best known developing legendary comic characters in the Marvel Universe, including the X-Men, Spider-Man, Thor and Black Panther. Through his leadership, many of these superheroes and villains became prominent staples in pop culture and the subjects of blockbuster movie franchises.
Lee introduced complex and nuanced superheroes to the world. Prior to his creations, the superhuman characters of comics were perfect.
In February 1992, he told The Washington Post, “I tried to make them real flesh-and-blood characters with personality, which should not be considered radical.”
He continued, “That’s what any story should have, but comics didn’t up to that point, they were all cardboard figures. Make them real, give them personality. Give them problems.”
Lee also used his comic books to give social commentary on issues such as racism.
At Marvel, "the only things we DON'T have room for are hatred, intolerance and bigotry. That man next to you? He's your brother. That woman over there? She's your sister."#RIP #StanLee
(via @largottes) https://t.co/IGjuAddZ2w— Carl Quintanilla (@carlquintanilla) November 12, 2018
“The only things we don’t have room for are hatred, intolerance and bigotry. That man next to you? He’s your brother. That woman over there? She’s your sister,” he said in a clip shared by NBC anchor Carl Quintanilla.
Lee was inducted into the Will Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 1994. He also received a National Medal of Arts in 2008.
Check out what celebrities had to say about Lee’s legacy and impact below.
LeBron James
All FACTS!!! R.I.P 🐐 https://t.co/NXlYEJJgMB
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 12, 2018
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGHnxPBkPj/
Winston Duke
THANK YOU, @TheRealStanLee. You gave us characters that continue to stand the test of time and evolve with our consciousness. You taught us that there are no limits to our future as long as we have access to our imagination. Rest in power! #EXCELSIOR #StanLee #rip pic.twitter.com/hnSmnHIDln
— Winston Duke (@Winston_Duke) November 12, 2018
Chris Evans
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
Travis Scott
Thank u Stan Lee for everything.
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) November 12, 2018
Lloyd Banks
R.I.P Stan Lee
— Lloydbanks (@Lloydbanks) November 12, 2018
Letitia Wright
https://twitter.com/letitiawright/status/1062063420319633408
Rosario Dawson
Overwhelmed with love and gratitude for the late, great hero, Stan Lee. Rest In Paradise. Thank you for your imagination, creativity, tenacity, inspiration and love!!! https://t.co/4WqHCtDXE1
— Rosario Dawson (@rosariodawson) November 12, 2018
Ryan Reynolds
Damn… RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
Darryl McDaniels of RUN DMC
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF3xacHSG2/
Angela Bassett
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqF9Rd1gVGY/
Zoe Saldana
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGFI7YB_Li/
Zuri Hall
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqGIQ77AsSh/