Last week, fans across the world were left shocked and saddened by the death of actor Lance Reddick. The actor died at his home in Los Angeles on March 17, reportedly of natural causes. He was 60.
Reddick was best known for his performance in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, as well as TV shows like Oz, Fringe, Lost and Bosch. But movie fans may know him best for playing Charon, concierge of a hotel frequented by assassins, in the hit John Wick movies
Reddick reprises his role in the upcoming sequel John Wick: Chapter 4, but sadly did not get to see the eagerly-awaited film hit theaters. However, his co-stars used the film’s premiere as a chance to pay tribute to the late actor — and got emotional on the red carpet.
At the film’s premiere on Monday, cast and crew — including stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne and Ian McShane — were seen wearing blue ribbons as a tribute to Reddick.
“We kindly ask you to wear this royal blue ribbon in honor of our dear friend Lance Reddick,” a note passed out with the ribbons read, per TMZ. Blue was chosen because it was the late star’s favorite color.
It was a touching show of love and support for Reddick, whose passing no doubt cast a bittersweet shadow over the event. Reddick has been a central part of the hit action franchise since the beginning and has appeared in each film, and was slated to appear in the spinoff Ballerina.
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On the red carpet, franchise star Keanu Reeves opened up about the loss of his co-star.
“Lance is a very beautiful person and special artist,” a visibly emotional Reeves told ET. “His grace and dignity, his shining light of character was just something really special.”
“He was a beautiful person, a special artist [and] a man of grace and dignity [with] such a passion for his craft,” he told Deadline. “To have had the chance to work with him over the 10 years and four films is something very special to me.”
“It f—ing sucks he’s not here,” Reeves added.
On Friday, shortly after news of Reddick’s death, Reeves and John Wick director Chad Stahelski released a statement, saying they will dedicate the soon-to-be-released film in his memory.
“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” they said in their statement, per ET.
“He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.”
“The world of Wick would not be what it is without Lance Reddick and the unparalleled depth he brought to Charon’s humanity and unflappable charisma,” studio Lionsgate wrote in their own statement.
“Lance leaves behind an indelible legacy and hugely impressive body of work, but we will remember him as our lovely, joyful friend and Concierge. We’re stunned and heartbroken, and our deepest condolences go to his beloved family and his fans all around the world.”
Laurence Fishburne also got emotional remembering Reddick.
“We lost our brother, and in a really sort of very shocking way. I think we’re all still in shock,” the actor said, per AP. “Life is… hard sometimes,” he added, reportedly shaken up while speaking to reporters.
Tributes have poured in across the entertainment industry. Many of Reddick’s colleagues on The Wire paid their respects to the late actor, who played Baltimore police officer Cedric Daniels on all five seasons.
Wire showrunner David Simon called Reddick a “consummate professional, devoted collaborator, lovely and gentle man,” and a “loyal friend.”
“Could go on, but no, I can’t go on,” Simon wrote on Twitter. “This is gutting. And way, way, way too soon.”
HBO, the network that aired both The Wire and Oz, wrote a tribute to him, saying he “is held in the highest regard by all who knew and worked with him.”
We’ll miss the great Lance Reddick, who gave us so many iconic performances from The Wire to John Wick. It’s heartwarming to see his co-stars pay such sweet tribute to him.
Please share this story in memory of the late great Lance Reddick.
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