The world has just lost a legend.
Stan Lee, godfather of Marvel Comics and master of the cinematic cameo (see: every major Marvel movie ever released), has died at the age of 95.
According to TMZ, Stan Lee was rushed to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center early Monday morning, where he sadly passed away. No further details have been disclosed at this time, though we know Lee has suffered from several illnesses (along with a series of troubling personal problems) over the past 12 months – including a bout of pneumonia and vision issues.
Alas, Lee, who co-founded Marvel with Jack Kirby back in 1961, has left us, and today TMZ relayed a short and heartfelt statement from his daughter, J.C. (Joan Celia Lee), who described her late father as, quite simply, “the greatest.”
My father loved all of his fans. He was the greatest, most decent man.
Gone, but not forgotten. Indeed, as the founder and co-founder behind some of Marvel’s greatest ever characters – namely the X-Men, Spider-Man, Iron Man, and Daredevil… to name but a few – Stan Lee’s roster will continue to inspire generations to come. We’re just devastated that he wasn’t able to see Avengers 4 in all its glory next summer.
Nevertheless, Stan Lee’s legacy is practically unparalleled, and we can’t imagine it’ll be trumped anytime soon – if ever. His surviving daughter J.C. Lee perhaps said it best when she described her late father as “the greatest,” and so long as Marvel continues to thrive with each passing year – from comics to television to blockbuster movies, Lee’s creative output informed all sorts of incredible content – a little bit of Stan Lee‘s legend will remain alive and well.
Here’s a quote from the archives.
I used to be embarrassed because I was just a comic-book writer while other people were building bridges or going on to medical careers. And then I began to realize: entertainment is one of the most important things in people’s lives. Without it, they might go off the deep end. I feel that if you’re able to entertain, you’re doing a good thing.
Because in the words of the great man himself: Excelsior!