Lost a wonderful man and artist: Mark Ruffalo, Rob Reiner, Ryan Murphy and others express grief after Oscar-nominated Larry Kramer's demise
Oscar-nominated screenwriter Larry Kramer, who also courted fame as a playwright, author, and gay rights and AIDS activist, has died. He was 84. Kramer, best known for penning the play The Normal Heart, passed away on Wednesday from pneumonia. After the news of his demise, celebrities including Julia Roberts and Lin-Manuel Miranda took to social media to pay tribute and express their grief.
"He was ferocious and tireless in his beliefs. A true hero that so many people owe their lives to today. I was honoured to spend time in his orbit," said Roberts, who starred alongside Mark Ruffalo in the movie adaptation of The Normal Heart.
Ruffalo took to social media to offer condolences, sharing, "Rest in Power, King!" "Dear Larry Kramer, It was the greatest honour getting to work with you and spend time learning about organising and activism. We lost a wonderful man and artist today. I will miss you. The world will miss you," Ruffalo wrote in another post.
Miranda also shared a photograph of Kramer, saying, "Don't know a soul who saw or read ‘The Normal Heart' and came away unmoved, unchanged. What an extraordinary writer, what a life. Thank you, Larry Kramer."
Actor-filmmaker Rob Reiner recalled performing in the play 8 with Kramer. Remembering Kramer as "a fierce advocate for gay rights", Reiner said "his passionate voice will be missed".
Sad to hear of Larry Kramer’s passing. We shared the stage in Lance Black’s play, “8” which highlighted our fight for marriage equality. He was a fierce advocate for gay rights. He and his passionate voice will be missed.
Kramer is also remembered as one of the founders of organizations Gay Men's Health Crisis and ACT UP, which advocate for AIDS research and gay rights.
Screenwriter Ryan Murphy, who adapted Larry Kramer's "The Normal Heart", remembered the late writer and AIDS activist as one of his heroes. Murphy paid tribute to Kramer on social media.