As the world mourns the death of Marvel legend Stan Lee, 95, celebrities and fans share touching tributes of how his enduring legacy inspired them to dream big.
"You let us be extra human...superhuman even," tweeted Mark Ruffalo, who plays the Hulk, sharing a photo of fellow Avengers actors Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr and Scarlett Johansson.
as a teenager and went on to create iconic characters for Marvel such as Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor and X-Men.
He died early Monday in Los Angeles, his daughter confirmed to US entertainment outlets.
Robert Downey Jr (pictured left) and Stan Lee (pictured right). Source: Instagram: robertdowneyjr
Iron Man actor Robert Downey Jr, who helped kickstart the Avengers movies, and Captain America actor Chris Evans both paid tribute to Mr Lee's enduring legacy with the hashtag 'Excelsior'.
His first Marvel Comics piece was Captain America #3 in 1941 writing alongside Joe Simon and Jack Kirby, before enlisting in the US Army during WWII, where he served alongside Oscar-winner Frank Capra, Pulitzer-winner William Saroyan and Theodor Geisel - Dr Seuss - in the Signal Corps.
From Spidey to Black Panther to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, Lee collaborated with other authors and illustrators to put his lively imagination on the page.
CEO of Walt Disney Bob Iger said Lee was a "super hero in his own right".
“Stan Lee was as extraordinary as the characters he created. A super hero 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," he said in a statement.
Tributes from Marvel actors and producers - such as Zoe Saldana, Tom Holland, Hugh Jackman, Josh Whedon, the Russo Brothers and Anthony Mackie - praised the comic legend.
Wolverine
"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" - Hugh Jackman, actor who played Wolverine
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, actor who played Captain America
Spider-Man
"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." - Tom Holland, actor who played Spider-Man
The Jedi
"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." - Mark Hamill, actor who played Luke Skywalker
Fellow cartoonist
"Devastated by my pal Stan's passing. He was a childhood inspiration, an instructor to me when I was just getting started and a genuinely sweet man. Will miss him terribly." - Frank Miller, cartoonist
The Hulk
"You let us be extra human... superhuman even. I am deeply honored to have been a small part in the Stan Lee constellation." - Mark Ruffalo, actor who played The Hulk
The Wasp
"I believe with all my heart that #StanLee would want to be celebrated today. Even through your tears, let's flood the internet with all the artwork, good, great or awful, that's ever been created in Stan's name." - Evangeline Lilly, actress who played The Wasp
Astrophysicist
"Born before Edwin Hubble discovered the expanding universe, he ultimately created an expanding universe of his own - one of scientifically literate superheroes such as Spider-Man , The Hulk, Iron Man, & Black Panther. Stan Lee RIP: 1922 - 2018." - Neil deGrasse Tyson
DC Comics also paid tribute to the icon.
Tributes have come from all over with actor Seth Rogan praising Mr Lee's ability to make everyone feel "special," the US Army thanking Mr Lee for his service and NASA praising his creativity.
- With AFP
