Hilary Duff pays tribute to late 'Lizzie McGuire' producer Stan Rogow: 'A very special person'

Following the death of "Lizzie McGuire" producer Stan Rogow, Hilary Duff is remembering the TV veteran who gave her one of her first big breaks.

Duff, who starred as Lizzie in the Disney Channel sitcom, paid tribute to executive producer Rogow in an Instagram post Saturday.

"Writing this right now is bringing back so many distant memories of what feels like a completely different lifetime," Duff wrote. "One where I had absolutely no clue where I was heading or how I was getting there, but where I had that eagerness and blind optimism that accompanies youth and your first opportunities to step up."

Rogow reportedly died Thursday at UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to The Hollywood Reporter and Variety. A cause of death was not given. He was 75.

Duff, who was 13 at the time "Lizzie McGuire" debuted, went on to credit Rogow for playing a pivotal role in her acting career.

"You heavily cherish the people who first believe and see something in you, and for me there was a very special person who fought for me to land a role that would change the entire course of my life…and I’m so sad to hear of his passing today," Duff wrote. "Stan — thank you for thinking I had 'that special thing.' Thank you for all of the Lizzie adventures. Thank you for helping create a reality I could never have dreamed of. Thinking of your family and your son Jackson at this time."

Rogow served as an executive producer on "Lizzie McGuire" from 2001-2004 and co-produced the series' 2003 feature film, "The Lizzie McGuire Movie," which grossed $55.5 million at the global box office. Rogow's work on "Lizzie" earned him consecutive Primetime Emmy nominations for outstanding children's program in 2003 and 2004.

In addition to "Lizzie McGuire," Rogow produced a pair of episodes for the '80s musical drama "Fame," based on the 1980 film of the same name.

He later scored a Primetime Emmy nomination for outstanding drama series.

Rogow's other credits include the 1986 fantasy drama "The Clan of the Cave Bear," the 1990 drama series "Shannon's Deal," the 1992 drama series "Middle Ages" and the 2009 mini-series "Woke Up Dead."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hilary Duff mourns late 'Lizzie McGuire' producer Stan Rogow