Garry Shandling was one of the most brilliant people I have ever known. A shocking huge loss.
— Billy Crystal (@BillyCrystal) March 24, 2016
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) March 24, 2016
I loved @GarryShandling, his shows, his kind, generous sensitivity, and above all, the brilliant laughs. He made my life better.
— Phil Rosenthal (@PhilRosenthal) March 24, 2016
Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada in a March 24 interview said Shandling’s passion was making others laugh.
“Garry was a very, very special guy and he was one of those guys…a doctor of the soul. He was an original doctor of the soul. Any time he went on the stage he made people laugh. He enjoyed it. He really enjoyed making people laugh and he would get a joy after he made people laugh.”
Masada, who recalled meeting Shandling in the late-1970s, said Shandling’s connection to the Jewish people came out in everyday conversation.
“I think he was, you know, really, really genuinely a member of the Tribe, but he did not go advertise it so much. He didn’t. He really believed everything. He was – every time I had a conversation I’d go, ‘Hey, Garry, how you doing, what’s going on?’ And he’d say ‘Baruch hashem.’ He would answer me ‘Baruch hashem’ every time.”
The King family is shocked & saddened by Garry Shandling's passing. Brilliant, funny & genuinely kind. A very rare combination.
— Larry King (@kingsthings) March 24, 2016
Elon Gold: Shandling was “generous with his comedy. He loved sharing his gift with the world.
“He was a hero and I remember growing up crying with laughter watching him fill in for Johnny Carson and now I'm crying he is gone.
“We lost one of the greats way too soon and on Purim of all days. It’s almost fitting. He left us on a day filled with joy and laughter.”
Oh no, not Garry Shandling. I adored him. Such a funny sweet eccentric man. What is this year doing to us? I'll miss him so damn much.
— Eric Idle (@EricIdle) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling, an absolutely brilliant comedic mind, has passed away. In awe of him since first Carson appearance.
— Colin Cowherd (@ColinCowherd) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling has died. I am very sad. He had the magic 'it' quality. He used it well and now he goes to live in the comedy Valhalla
— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) March 24, 2016
gone too soon — both #garryshandling https://t.co/AcsDl1hsnY
— Rosie (@Rosie) March 24, 2016
I only met Garry Shandling a handful of times. Always funny. Always nice. The comedy community lost a friend, a legend and a pioneer today.
— Nick Swardson (@NickSwardson) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling was, pure and simple, a genius
— Adam Scott (@mradamscott) March 24, 2016
Garry shandling was 1 of my writing & creative philosopher heroes. A couple of months ago this showed up on my phone pic.twitter.com/Hra7Q6XZbF
— BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (@BRIANMBENDIS) March 24, 2016
I feel like the best way to honor Garry Shandling would be to block myself on Twitter.
— Matt Zoller Seitz (@mattzollerseitz) March 24, 2016