Comic book giant Stan Lee, the mastermind behind pop culture icons as Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Hulk, the Black Panther and countless others, has been honored in Hollywood by hundreds of fans and celebrities.
Lee, who died in November at age 95, saw his ink-on-paper, pulp comic characters grow into movie money-makers and influential figures of our generation.
Lee was posthumously honored with the key to the city of Los Angeles on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at a star-studded memorial. 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.
The even was hosted by filmmaker Kevin Smith and featured screen veterans Mark Hamill and Vincent D’Onofrio, and Wu Tang Clan rapper/actor RZA.
Actor Wesley Snipes, who portrayed Marvel superhero Blade, “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” producers Chris Miller and Phil Lord, and Ant-Man and the Wasp’s Laurence Fishburne were among the other special guests at the tribute.
Video tributes from William Shatner, Luke Cage star Mike Colter, and Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, were played on the big screens as well.
During the celebration, 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!”
By: Maytinee Kramer
