Reese Witherspoon, Chris Meloni, more stars react to Raquel Welch's death: 'We've lost a true icon'
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Raquel Welch became famous for her striking beauty, but people's love for her was more than skin deep.
Welch, the Hollywood sex symbol known for her 1960s roles in "One Million Years B.C." and "Fantastic Voyage," died Wednesday following a brief illness. She was 82.
Born Jo Raquel Tejada in September 1940, Welch's career spanned 50 years, 30 films and 50 TV series and appearances. She won a Golden Globe for best actress in a comedy or musical for her role in “The Three Musketeers” in 1975.
An outpouring of love for the Bolivian American actress has flowed in, with several stars taking to social media to share their fondness for Welch.
"So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on 'Legally Blonde,'" actress Reese Witherspoon tweeted. "She was elegant, professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home."
So sad to hear about Raquel Welch's passing. I loved working with her on Legally Blonde. She was elegant , professional and glamorous beyond belief. Simply stunning. May all her angels carry her home. 🕊️ Sending love to her family and her many fans ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FBtXhpvS25
— Reese Witherspoon (@ReeseW) February 15, 2023
"We are saddened to hear about the passing of legendary actress Raquel Welch," visual effects creator Ray Harryhausen's Ray & Diana Harryhausen Foundation wrote on Twitter.
"An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever," the tweet read. "Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time."
Raquel Welch: Sexy star of 'One Million Years B.C.' and 'Fantastic Voyage' dies at 82
We are saddened to hear about the passing of legendary actress Raquel Welch, who starred as Loana in Ray Harryhausen's 1966 classic 'One Million Years B.C'. An iconic role which spawned one of the most famous movie posters ever. Our thoughts are with her family at this sad time. pic.twitter.com/vQW5tj52mk
— Ray Harryhausen (@Ray_Harryhausen) February 15, 2023
Raquel Welch's 5 essential roles: From 'Fantastic Voyage' to 'One Million Years B.C.'
"Raquel Welch dying is a very weird feeling," actor Chris Meloni tweeted.
"Amazing beauty grace (and) talent," "General Hospital" alum Antonio Sabato Jr. wrote. "Rest in peace."
Raquel Welch has passed away at the age of 82.
Amazing beauty grace & talent.
Rest in peace 🙏
pic.twitter.com/03HAGy1KZ4— Antonio Sabato Jr (@AntonioSabatoJr) February 15, 2023
"This is so sad. I had the great pleasure of working with Ms. Welch when I was a regular on Sabrina the Teenage Witch and she was awesome," director and producer Paul Feig shared.
"Kind, funny and a true superstar whom I was pretty much in love with for most of my childhood," Feig added. "We’ve lost a true icon."
"She lit up movie screens for years with her beauty and charisma," Deborah Roberts, a correspondent for "Good Morning America," wrote on Twitter. "What a life."
Just heard. Raquel Welch has died. She lit up movie screens for years with her beauty and charisma. What a life. She was 82. pic.twitter.com/J4OtPhnJtu
— Deborah Roberts (@DebRobertsABC) February 15, 2023
"A unique beauty who left her one of a kind groovy vibe wherever she went," actress and comedian Sandra Bernhard wrote.
A unique beauty who left her one of a kind groovy vibe wherever she went #raquelwelch https://t.co/kwfPboN1GJ
— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) February 15, 2023
"When Raquel Welch hosted SNL, I had a sketch with her in which I played Lina Wermuller," "Saturday Night Live" alum Laraine Newman wrote.
"It was cut because she wanted to sing a song instead but a couple of years later she sent me a postcard from Italy with Wertmuller’s autograph," Newman added. "RIP sweet lady."
"I know she's famous for bigger/more notable things (inventing the bikini basically) but for me, Shake Your Whammy Fanny is forever burned on my brain," singer-songwriter Tom Aspaul wrote alongside a clip of Welch on "Sabrina the Teenage Witch."
I know she's famous for bigger/more notable things (inventing the bikini basically) but for me, Shake Your Whammy Fanny is forever burned on my brain. RIP Raquel Welch 💔 pic.twitter.com/vJaNZ8ijpx
— Tom Aspaul (@tom_aspaul) February 15, 2023
"Abbott Elementary" actor Bruno Amato shared a throwback photo of himself with Welch on Twitter.
"She was a guest on 'The Talk' and I was working on the show 'Baby Daddy,'" Amato recalled. "Somehow our dressing rooms were across from each other. She was so gracious and still a total bombshell and I was in complete awe."
Raquel Welch.❤🔥💔
This was 7 years ago. She was a guest on "The Talk" and I was working on the show "Baby Daddy." Somehow our dressing rooms were across from each other. She was so gracious and still a total bombshell and I was in complete awe.💔 pic.twitter.com/lmTkSH3SPe— Bruno Amato (@BrunoAmato_1) February 15, 2023
"Gorgeous, bawdy, elegant and bright…Raquel Welch was all of these things," television producer Melissa Rivers wrote alongside a photo of Welch with her mother, Joan Rivers. "More than just a pretty face, she had glamour in her soul."
Gorgeous, bawdy, elegant and bright…Raquel Welch was all of these things. More than just a pretty face, she had glamour in her soul. RIP pic.twitter.com/wdMWMOGv5T
— Melissa Rivers (@MelRivers) February 15, 2023
"We’ll never forget our remarkable friend Raquel Welch, one of our favorite guests on The Muppet Show," the official account for The Muppets posted on Twitter. "From dancing with a giant spider, to inspiring Fozzie Bear, and duetting with Miss Piggy, Raquel could do it all!"
We’ll never forget our remarkable friend Raquel Welch, one of our favorite guests on The Muppet Show. From dancing with a giant spider, to inspiring @FozzieBear, and duetting with @MissPiggy, Raquel could do it all! pic.twitter.com/1Rzk9PbTwr
— The Muppets (@TheMuppets) February 15, 2023
"Raquel Welch has departed," actor Titus Welliver tweeted. "An iconic beauty and actor."
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Contributing: Patrick Ryan, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Raquel Welch death: Reese Witherspoon, Chris Meloni, more stars react