The Hollywood community is in mourning once again, with another icon passing away. Garry Shandling died suddenly today at the age of 66. TMZ was the first to report the news, with sources stating that the actor and comedian has died from a heart attack "with no prior warning whatsoever." After the news first started to spread, numerous celebrities took to their Twitter accounts to mourn the loss of their dear friend.
The initial report revealed that Garry Shandling was rushed to a Los Angeles hospital, after a 911 call was received from the actor's home. He was reportedly alive when he arrived at the hospital and the original report revealed the the comedian and actor wasn't suffering from any known illness. A source connected to the actor said he was healthy, and he was talking to people earlier this morning before his untimely death.
Just last weekend, actress Kathy Griffin sent out a photo from her Twitter account, where she was flanked by Garry Shandling and Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk. As it turns out, this may be the last known photo of Garry Shandling, which was taken on Sunday. After graduating from the University of Arizona with a marketing degree, Garry Shandling moved to Los Angeles in 1973, where he quickly made his mark on the entertainment industry, getting his start writing for TV shows such as Sanford and Son, Welcome Back, Kotter and The Harvey Korman Show before turning his attention to stand-up comedy in 1978.
He made his TV debut in 1981 on NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and became a fixture on the program, often serving as guest host until 1987. He created and starred in It's Garry Shandling's Show in 1986, which ran for four seasons until 1990. The comedian starred as a fictional version of himself in the groundbreaking series, who knew he was on a TV show, often breaking the fourth wall and interacting with the audience. In 1992, he created The Larry Sanders Show, which ran for six seasons on HBO from 1992 to 1998, and offered a satirical look at the world of late-night talk shows.
The actor's movie roles included Mixed Nuts, Love Affair, Hurlyburly and Zoolander. He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2010 by portraying Senator Stern in 2010's Iron Man 2, a role he reprised in his final movie role, 2014's Captain America: The Winter Soldier. He was also seen on a recent episode of Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld, where the pair talked about Robin Williams' death, and the actor even joked about his own untimely demise. Take a look at the tributes that have been pouring in all day, from showbiz luminaries such as Billy Crystal, Steve Martin and many, many more.
So @GarryShandling & I had to call Saul @mrBobOdenkirkpic.twitter.com/DcLhvfvaJZ
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 21, 2016
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
Garry Shandling was a very special comedian with a beautifully unpredictable mind. He even voluntarily offered jokes and ideas for Oscars.
— Steve Martin (@SteveMartinToGo) March 24, 2016
Goodbye Gary Shandling thank you for your kindness and your generosity and for making me laugh so damn much
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) March 24, 2016
RIP the great Garry Shandling. Surely, one of the most influential comedians of a generation.
— Ricky Gervais (@rickygervais) March 24, 2016
Damn. RIP Garry Shandling. Thanks for the laughs.
— Jenny Johnson (@JennyJohnsonHi5) March 24, 2016
R.I.P. Garry Shandling. I am so saddened to hear this. Brilliantly funny and such a great guy. He will be so missed.
— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling you were and always will be comedy gold. #gonewaytoosoon#rip#alwaysfunny
— Dane Cook (@DaneCook) March 24, 2016
Nooooo!!! I love Garry Shandling. So sad!! #pioneer
— josh groban (@joshgroban) March 24, 2016
Dammit. He was the best. So sad. RIP Garry Shandling
— marc maron (@marcmaron) March 24, 2016
Not Garry Shandling!!!!!! A treasure!!!!!! How sad.
— Andy Cohen (@Andy) March 24, 2016
RIP Garry Shandling. Amazing comedian, such a loss.
— Robin Lord Taylor (@robinlordtaylor) March 24, 2016
If it's true I am heartsick @GarryShandling has died? One in a million brilliant people say it's not so
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling, you came to an early promotional screening of CYRUS and hung w/me & @jayduplass afterwards at PF Changs. Thank you.
— Mark Duplass (@MarkDuplass) March 24, 2016
Saddened over Garry Shandling. He was a comedy idol of mine. He leaves behind the greatest single-camera comedy of all time. #LarrySanders
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 24, 2016
Absolutely can't process the loss of Garry Shandling. Such a genius, such a wonderful man, such an inspiration. I was so honored to know him
— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) March 24, 2016
Wait, what? Gary Shandling? No.
— Colin Hanks (@ColinHanks) March 24, 2016
Oh my ..GOD will laugh now as he never has Before REST IN PEACE .. Wayyyy to soon https://t.co/c5T4O6kBHg
— Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) March 24, 2016
R.I.P. Garry Shandling. I’m so shocked and saddened. He was brilliantly funny, and so kind to me.
— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) March 24, 2016
Heartbreaking news about Garry Shandling. Just heartbreaking.
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) March 24, 2016
What a legend. RIP @GarryShandling#TheLarrySandersShow
— Logan Lerman (@LoganLerman) March 24, 2016
RIP Garry Shandling. #Irreplaceable
— Michael McKean (@MJMcKean) March 24, 2016
Gonna miss @GarryShandling was a great guy and comedian. Had a great night with him once and we laughed and laughed...#RIP
— David Boreanaz (@David_Boreanaz) March 24, 2016
Rest in Peace, Garry Shandling. His work, including the Larry Sanders Show, was an enormous influence.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) March 24, 2016
Sad today. My friend @GarryShandling passed. He encouraged me from the very start. A few weeks ago he told me life was short and enjoy it.
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) March 24, 2016
So sad to hear about @GarryShandling he was one of my favorites #ripgarryshandlingpic.twitter.com/nwA3OxVR7M
— Drake Bell (@DrakeBell) March 24, 2016
Man. Garry Shandling. R.I.P.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) March 24, 2016
.@GarryShandling & @JuddApatow treated @MarkDuplass & me to PFChang's after a Cyrus screening and made us feel like a million bucks
— Jay Duplass (@jayduplass) March 24, 2016
I can't believe we've lost @GarryShandling .
— Howie Mandel (@howiemandel) March 24, 2016
A great mind and heart.
#garryshandling Too funny. Too young. RIP
— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) March 24, 2016
Maybe a handfull of comedians that changed and shaped how comedy on tv is done for decades to follow. Garry Shandling is on our Mt. Rushmore
— Kevin Pollak (@kevinpollak) March 24, 2016
Garry, You were so kind, so funny, so smart. You were my mentor. You were family. This is all… https://t.co/IXeqSCZxjg
— Kevin Nealon (@kevin_nealon) March 24, 2016
A moment to celebrate an true, original & tv pioneer and yes 1 of the funniest. Was an honor to know him. Condolences to his family. R.I.P
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) March 24, 2016
Saddened by the news of the passing of Garry Shandling , I met Garry at @TheComedyStore WEST in 1979 #VayaConDios … https://t.co/YuMvM38FYw
— George Lopez (@georgelopez) March 24, 2016
Rest in peace Garry Shandling, we've lost a comedic icon.
— Tommy Chong (@tommychong) March 24, 2016
Good pal, great guy, funny, funny, funny man lost today RIP Garry Shandling
— Tim Allen (@ofctimallen) 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
Sad about Garry Shandling. Larry Sanders was WONDERFUL,and at my daughter Cynthia's wedding he made the funniest bad taste speech ever given
— John Cleese (@JohnCleese) March 24, 2016
This really hurts. Rest In Peace, @GarryShandling.
— Ken Jeong (@kenjeong) March 24, 2016