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Celebrities Respond To Death Of George Michael, Beloved Pop Star And Former Wham! Frontman

By Darien Cavanaugh
Published on: 12:11 PST, Dec 25, 2016

George Michael, the pop superstar who started his career as the frontman of Wham! in the early 1980s, died suddenly on Christmas Day. Michael is one of what seems like countless celebrities to have passed away in 2016.

“Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT,” the BBC reported. “Police say they were treating the death as unexplained but there were no suspicious circumstances.”

It is believed that the music legend “passed away peacefully at home.”

“It is with great sadness that we can confirm our beloved son, brother and friend George passed away peacefully at home over the Christmas period,” Michael’s publicist said in a statement quoted by the BBC. “The family would ask that their privacy be respected at this difficult and emotional time. There will be no further comment at this stage.”

Friends and colleagues of George Michael, including numerous celebrities, immediately took to social media to respond to word of his death, expressing their grief, sharing memories, and offering condolences.

“I am in deep shock,” music sensation Elton John said in an Instagram post with a picture of him and George Michael together. “I have lost a beloved friend — the kindest, most generous soul and a brilliant artist. My heart goes out to his family and all of his fans.”

The two collaborated on a live duet of John’s classic hit “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” in 1991 that took that version of the song to the top of both the U.K. and U.S. charts. You can watch the video for their duet below.

Star Trek alum and unparalleled guru of online wit George Takei chose to respond by posting a touching and spiritually hopeful tweet in Michael’s honor.

Beach Boys legend Brian Wilson shared his respect for Michael and his sympathy for his family, friends, and fans.

Latoya Jackson promised to Michael that his fans will continue to love him.

Stonewall, “the LGBT equality charity,” tweeted an acknowledgment of Michael’s importance to the community, saying he will be “sorely missed.”

Actor Rob Lowe recalled knowing Michael in the 80s and praised his “angelic voice.”

Hip Hop star Talib Kweli noted that it was 10 years ago today, also on Christmas, that James “The Godfather of Soul” Brown died.

Even sports and politics junky Keith Olberman got in on the grieving.

Eighties hip-hop-star-turned-entrepreneur MC Hammer was “stunned” by news of Michael’s death.

Hellboy star Ron Perlman simply tweeted a link to a YouTube video of George Michael’s “They Won’t Go When I Go” in remembrance of him.

Former Beverly Hills 90210 heartbreaker Shannen Doherty recalled dancing around her room to George Michael when she was a young girl.

And Patton Oswalt, of course, found a way to make a joke about it. But it’s one that George Michael probably would have laughed at himself.

There are surely many more celebrities paying their respects and sharing fond memories of George Michael online, and many more will undoubtedly be doing so. These are just a few that we gleaned from scrolling through Twitter and Instagram feeds.

[Featured Image by Hannah Peters/Getty Images]

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