Stars react to the death of actor-playwright Sam Shepard

NEW YORK – Reaction to the announcement Monday that actor-playwright Sam Shepard died last week at age 73:

— “He moved on today? We lost one of the great ones. Great writer… Well, all right (points up) see you in the next one Sam.” — Matthew McConaughey, visibly shaken after learning about Shepard’s death on a red carpet Monday evening.

— “A great man of the theatre has passed. Thank you, Sam Shepard. RIP.” — Actor Jason Alexander on Twitter.

— “Sam Shepard. Whenever he came on-screen, you knew you were in good hands. A frame from “Days of Heaven.” May he rest in love.” — Filmmaker Ava DuVernay on Twitter.

— “Literally bumped into Sam Shepard many years ago, both of us on our way to see Pillow Man on Broadway. We had a great chat/walk. #hero RIP” — Don Cheadle on Twitter.

— “I’m coping with Sam Shepard’s death by listening to Prince which is just bumming me out more” — Comedian Whitney Cummings on Twitter.

— “So sad to hear about Sam Shepard passing. A truly original actor and an incredible writer. Sending love to his family. #RIP” — Reese Witherspoon?, who included a broken-heart emoji, on Twitter.

— “A hero of theatre. A hero of writing. A hero of acting. A hero of mine. Sam Shepard RIP.” — Actor Nikolaj Coster-Waldau on Twitter.

— “He was to playwrighting what Brando was to acting. Made it look at itself in a new light, redefined it. Gave us new eyes to see ourselves.” Actor James Morrison on Twitter.

— “The consummate artist has passed, the one who spanned genre and discipline w/leonine grace + titanic sex appeal and talent. RIP Sam Shepard” — Screenwriter Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith on Twitter.

— “So sad about the news of Sam Shepard… We still have his theatre and his characters, which will live forever.” — Actor-director Diego Luna on Twitter, translated from Spanish.

“RIP Sam Shepard, a true American legend. My first play at CMU was Cowboy Mouth. Your plays and roles will live on forever.” — Actor Joe Manganiello on Twitter.

— “Sam Shepard is one of the greats. These eyes saw so much, and he wrote of what he saw with fearless, timeless honesty. RIP maestro.” — Writer-producer Beau Willimon on Twitter.

— “Sam Shepard was a towering figure in American theatre and film. He indeed had “the right stuff.” His voice will truly be missed.” — Actor George Takei on Twitter.

— “…A true poet cowboy who wrote from the scariest most beautiful parts of the soul. Thank you Sam” — Actress Betty Gilpin on Twitter.

— “Cowboy Slim forever and a day. R.I.P., Sam Shepard. #CowBoyMouth and so much more.” — Actor David Boreanaz? on Twitter.