Marvel film stars pay tribute to Stan Lee: 'There will never be another'

Nov. 13 (UPI) -- A number of Marvel film stars, including Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr., paid homage to Stan Lee on Twitter and Instagram following the comic book icon's death.

Lee died Monday in Los Angeles at the age of 95. He is survived by his daughter Joan Celia "J.C." Lee.

The legendary comic book writer, personality, actor and producer was the former president and chairman of Marvel Comics and is credited with writing and creating alongside a collection of artists the majority of Marvel's stable of superheros including the Fantastic Four, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, X-Men, Daredevil, Black Panther and Spider-Man, among many others.

Lee was also credited as an executive prouder on nearly all of Marvel's theatrical releases where he was also seen in cameo roles, becoming a staple of Marvel films.

"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!!" Captain America star Chris Evans said, using Lee's catchphrase, "Excelsior."

"I owe it all to you,,, Rest In Peace Stan... #MCU #Excelsior #legend #rip #stanlee #TeamStark," Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. said alongside a photo of himself posing with Lee on the set of a Marvel film.

"Sad, sad day. Rest In Power, Uncle Stan. You have made the world a better place through the power of modern mythology and your love of this messy business of being human...," Hulk star Mark Ruffalo said alongside a photo of Lee posing next to a statue of Hulk.

"Thank you @TheRealStanLee for the escape from this world & great joy inhabiting the ones you created!! You made so many believe in the good, the heroic, the villainous, the exciting, most of all, you were giving & gracious to us all. RIP," Nick Fury star Samuel L. Jackson said.

"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," Spider-Man star Tom Holland said alongside a photo of himself talking with Lee onstage at an event.

"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," Guardians of the Galaxy star Chris Pratt said next to a selfie of himself with Lee. Pratt's Guardians co-stars including Zoe Saldana and Karen Gillan also paid homage to Lee.

"Today we lost one of the greats. @therealstanlee, you were an inspiration and superhero to us all. Thank you for contributing so much- and giving us all something to aspire to!" Saldana said alongside a photo of herself with Lee while in makeup as her character Gamora.

"RIP Stan. Thank you for your brilliance," Gillan said alongside a photo of herself standing with Lee while in makeup as her character Nebula.

"Saddened to learn about the passing of Stan Lee. From watching Marvel films with friends in college to having the privilege to take on one of his characters in @BlackPanther, Stan's creative genius sparked my imagination & left me in awe. His legacy will carry on. #StanLeeForever," Black Panther star Lupita Nyong'o said next to a black and white photo of Lee.

"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," Black Panther star Winston Duke said next to a photo of Lee.

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige also posted his thoughts on Lee through the official Marvel Studios Twitter account.

"No one has had more of an impact on my career and everything we do at Marvel Studios than Stan Lee. Stan leaves an extraordinary legacy that will outlive us all. Our thoughts are with his daughter, his family, and his millions of fans. #ThankYouStan #Excelsior!" Feige said alongside a photo of Lee.

Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan commented on Lee's death while speaking to Entertainment Tonight during a screening of his latest film, Creed II.

"[I'm] heartbroken, honestly," Jordan said. "[He was] 95 years old, he lived a full life. He made an impact on so many different people, [and] literally changed the face of entertainment in so many different ways."

A number of celebrities honored Lee on social media including Kevin Smith, Seth Rogen, Impractical Jokers star Brian Quinn and Mark Hamill.

"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." Smith captioned a photo of Lee sitting on a throne.

"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," Smith continued as part of a lengthy tribute. "I will miss you all my days, my friend and hero."

"Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special," Rogen said.

"Stan Lee died. He did more for me than most politicians ever could," Quinn said.

"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," Hamill said alongside a collection of photos featuring himself and Lee.