The 'Excelsior!' tribute event sees the attendance by the likes of Mark Hamill, Wesley Snipes, Laurence Fishburne, Wu-Tang Clan and filmmaker Kevin Smith among others.
- Feb 1, 2019
AceShowbiz - Stan Lee was posthumously honoured with the key to the city of Los Angeles on Wednesday, January 30, at a star-studded memorial to salute the comic book icon.
Hundreds of celebrity friends, fans and colleagues gathered outside the TCL Chinese Theatre for "Excelsior! A Celebration of the Amazing, Fantastic, Incredible and Uncanny Life of Stan Lee", which featured a panel discussion about his extraordinary achievements, hosted by filmmaker Kevin Smith and featuring screen veterans Mark Hamill and Vincent D'Onofrio, and Wu-Tang Clan rapper/actor RZA.
"This was a guy who spent his life dreaming of writing the great American novel, and he didn't realise he was doing it, over and over and over again (with his comic books)," Smith told the audience. "The world didn't need another 'In Cold Blood' (classic novel by Truman Capote). It needed Spider-Man."
Thank you to all the fans, @ThatKevinSmith, @LegionMOfficial, and @AgentsofMayhem for contributing to the tremendous tribute in honor of Stan’s legendary life last night. (Art by Jennifer Contini.) pic.twitter.com/pVrJao1KuK
— stan lee (@TheRealStanLee) 1 February 2019
Actor Wesley Snipes, who portrayed Marvel superhero Blade, was among the other special guests at the tribute.
"He's an inspiration for all of us creative artists to remind us your creativity is never wasted, and sooner or later you hang in there long enough, I don't know, a movie theater, a hologram... something will come along and the whole world will see your magic," he told Reuters.
"Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse" producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord, and "Ant-Man and the Wasp"'s Laurence Fishburne were also in attendance, while video tributes from the likes of William Shatner, "Luke Cage" star Mike Colter, and Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, were played on the big screens, too.
People from all walks of life have one thing in common today on the red carpet. They are fans. #StanLeeTributepic.twitter.com/o40nmHo4X4
— stan lee (@TheRealStanLee) 31 January 2019
During the festivities, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti presented Lee's only child, daughter J.C. Lee, with the key to the city, which was engraved with the Marvel legend's trademark catchphrase, "Excelsior!".
Presenting a key to the City to the one and only Stan Lee, a man who created some of the most iconic movies, TV and comic books of all time, right here in L.A.
— Mayor Eric Garcetti (@MayorOfLA) 31 January 2019
Stan, thank you for your vision.
Thank you for helping us all keep our gaze ever upward.
Excelsior! #StanLeeTributepic.twitter.com/30IBDYE99s
Fans were also treated to a number of musical performances, including a sombre rendition of Amazing Grace by military bagpipe players.
Proceeds from the event's ticket sales benefitted non-profit organisation The Hero Initiative, which supports comic book creators, artists and writers in need.
Lee, 95, died in November (18), 16 months after losing his beloved wife Joan.
