Hollywood stars took to social media to share tributes and memories of the award-winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim, who singlehandedly revolutionizing the American musical theater.

Sondheim, whose achievements included Company, Sweeney Todd, and Sunday in the Park With George and Into the Woods, died at 91.

The composer often collaborated with producer-director Hal Prince, pairing with him on musicals such as West Side Story and Merrily We Roll Along.

Sondheim earned nine Tony Awards during his tenure, as well as an Oscar, a Pulitzer Prize and eight Grammy awards.

On Twitter, Uzo Aduba referred to Sondheim as “the best there ever was.” She wrote, “I don’t know when we will ever have another of his caliber, of his breadth and scope. Just the greatest, a legend, a true titan. Rest In Peace.”

 

Lin-Manuel Miranda praises Sondheim. “Future historians: Sondheim was real,” he began. “Yes, he wrote Tony & Maria AND Sweeney Todd AND Bobby AND George & Dot AND Fosca AND countless more. Some may theorize Shakespeare’s works were by committee but Steve was real & he was here & he laughed SO loud at shows & we loved him.”

Elsewhere, Neil Gaiman said a few words on Twitter. “He wrote me a wonderful permission letter to use “Old Friends” in American Gods. I avoided meeting him (failed only once) and refused dinner because I didn’t have many heroes. Now I’ve got one less. Thank you Stephen Sondheim so much.”

Hugh Jackman wrote: “Every so often someone comes along that fundamentally shifts an entire art form. Stephen Sondheim was one of those. As millions mourn his passing, I also want to express my gratitude for all he has given to me and so many more. Sending my love to his nearest and dearest.”

Jake Gyllenhaal shared a photo of Sondheim taken during the opening night of Sunday in the Park with George. Beside it, he wrote: “I am grateful to have shared time with the master and maestro of American musical theater, and to have played his George. We have lost a giant. We will miss you. Rest In Peace.”

The Simpsons writer Michael Price shared on Twitter an image of a letter that Sondheim wrote to him when accepting a cameo in the sitcom. “It’s been in a strong box under my bed since 2006.”

Paul Williams, president of the American Society of Composers, wrote in a statement: “The magnitude of Stephen Sondheim’s contribution to American musical theater is immeasurable and matched only by his immense generosity in influencing and mentoring new generations. We are forever grateful for his groundbreaking work, which truly evolved the art form of the Broadway musical, and for his support to The ASCAP Foundation to expand the possibilities for young people to experience the magic of the Broadway musical.”

Anna Kendrick shared on Twitter that “Performing his work has been among the greatest privileges of my career” and called Sondheim’s death “a devastating loss.”

George Takei labeled Sondheim a “towering giant” and wrote that his legacy of song and lyric was unparalleled. “From West Side Story to Sweeney Todd, from Gypsy to Sunday in the Park with George, there will never be a master like him.”

Read these reactions and more, below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

“As a writer, I think what I am is an actor. I write conversational songs, so the actors find that the rise and fall of the tune, and the harmonies, and particularly the rhythms help them as singers to ACT the song. They don’t have to act against it.” –
Stephen Sondheim pic.twitter.com/dyg6Yi57ns

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 27, 2021

 

 

 

 

American musical theater has lost a towering giant. Stephen Sondheim’s legacy of song and lyric in unparalleled. From West Side Story to Sweenie Todd, from Gypsy to Sunday in the Park with George, there will never be a master like him.

— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) November 26, 2021