Marvel legend Stan Lee, who revolutionized pop culture as the co-creator of iconic superheroes like Spider-Man and The Hulk who now dominate the world's movie screens, has died. He was 95 years old.
Lee, the face of comic book culture in the United States, died early Monday in Los Angeles, according to US entertainment outlets including The Hollywood Reporter. He had suffered a number of illnesses in recent years.
"My father loved all of his fans," his daughter told Hollywood monitor TMZ. "He was the greatest, most decent man."
The New Yorker, known for his distinctive tinted glasses and impish grin, frequently appeared at fan events where he was revered.
Lee ended up in the comics business by accident, thanks to an uncle who got him a job when he was a teenager filling artists' inkwells and fetching coffee.
"I felt someday I'd write the 'Great American Novel' and I didn't want to use my real name on these silly little comics," he once said, explaining why he had forsaken his given name, Stanley Lieber.
Lee rose through the ranks to become a comics writer, making millions of superhero fans dream of his fantastic universes and humans with extraordinary powers, and eventually led the Marvel empire for decades as its publisher.
From Spidey to Black Panther to the X-Men and the Fantastic Four, Lee collaborated with other authors and illustrators to put his lively imagination on the page.
Iron Man, Thor and Doctor Strange would follow -- and today, all three heroes have multi-film franchises that rake in hundreds of millions of dollars.
Lee has appeared in cameo roles in nearly every Marvel movie -- including as a bus driver in "Avengers: Infinity War," a film that united many of the indelible characters he brought to life.
"Awww man, heartbreaking. R.I.P. to a true pioneer and legend," tweeted Australian filmmaker James Wan, who directed many of the "Saw" and "Insidious" movies as well as helming "Aquaman," an upcoming superhero film based on the character by Marvel rival DC Comics.
"My youth wouldn't have been the same without him. So grateful to have met the guy, and told him how thankful I was for his work. #stanlee"
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Spiderman Arrested Again In Delhi. This Time For Riding On Scorpio's Bonnet "Spider-Man: No Food At Home" - Internet Reacts To Costumed Figure Making Rotis On Rooftop Polish 'Spider-Man' Tried To Scale 30-Storey Building With No Ropes, Arrested Kolkata Rape-Murder: Fractures, 150 mg Semen, Other Claims Denied By Cops Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah To Be Prosecuted In Land Scam Case CBI Team At Kolkata Hospital For Digital Mapping Of Crime Scene 15-Year-Old US Boy Creates Soap That Could Help Treat Skin Cancer COMEDK 2024 Phase 2 Counselling Schedule Revised, Details Here Gita Gopinath On What India Needs To Do To Become Developed Nation By 2047 Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.