Beloved comedian Garry Shandling died unexpectedly on Thursday, a Los Angeles Police Department spokesman confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter.
According to the publication, The Los Angeles Fire Department was sent to Shandling’s address in response to “a medical emergency.” He was transported to Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, where he later died.
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There is little detail surrounding the cause of Shandling’s death, but according to TMZ, sources familiar with the situation revealed that he died of a massive heart attack, with no prior warning.
Tributes have poured in for Shandling, showing just how he affected the lives and careers of other leading comedians. Among the celebs inspired by Shandling’s career are Steve Martin, Neil Patrick Harris, Paul Feig, Miranda Hart and Olivia Munn.
https://twitter.com/SteveMartinToGo/status/713117416990093313
Wow. Shocked to read about the sudden death of @GarryShandling. One of the smartest and sharpest comedians ever on television. So sad. #RIP
— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) March 25, 2016
https://twitter.com/oliviamunn/status/713166942496882689
If you begin to add up all the people in comedy whose careers Garry Shandling touched and helped launch, it's staggering. We owe you, Garry.
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 25, 2016
Garry Shandling Show such an inspiration. How sad. Thanks Garry. RIP.
— Miranda Hart (@mermhart) March 25, 2016
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Rob Lowe expressed his sadness over losing his “comedic hero,” and Billy Crystal praised Shandling for being “one of the most brilliant people I’ve ever known.”
Garry Shandling was one of my comedic heroes. His support of my writing was a huge boost. I will always be grateful for it. Shocked and sad
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling was one of the most brilliant people I have ever known. A shocking huge loss.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) March 24, 2016
Kathy Griffin also took to Twitter to share a heartfelt tribute to her dear friend.
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
Jerry Seinfeld and his wife, Jessica, celebrated Shandling with an Instagram post, in which they discussed the “beautiful, gentle, BRILLIANT sweet angel” that he was.
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Jimmy Kimmel paid his respects to a man who was both kind and generous, as well as incredibly funny.
Garry Shandling was as kind and generous as he was funny and that is saying a lot.
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) March 24, 2016
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While Lena Dunham thanked Shandling for “redefining sitcom.”
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But it’s not just Shandling’s career that is being celebrated, but also his character. Conan O’Brien used his self-titled show’s opening monologue to make a tribute to his friend, a man who he described as having a “ton of empathy for other people.”
“He was extremely sensitive, he was complicated, and he had a ton of empathy for other people,” O’Brien said. “That is something that in this business, in comedy, that is very rare. He really did care about other people.”
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