Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kaling and Other Celebrities Pay Tribute to Late Director Lynn Shelton

Isabel Jones
·7 min read

Director, writer, producer, and actress Lynn Shelton passed away unexpectedly on Friday at the age of 54. Her partner, comic Marc Maron, explained in a statement that Shelton suffered from a “previously unknown, underlying condition” that was unrelated to COVID-19.

“I loved her very much as I know many of you did as well. It’s devastating. I am leveled, heartbroken and in complete shock and don’t really know how to move forward in this moment,” he said. “She was a beautiful, kind, loving, charismatic artist. Her spirit was pure joy. She made me happy. I made her happy. We were happy. I made her laugh all the time. We laughed a lot. We were starting a life together. I really can’t believe what is happening. This is a horrendous, sad loss.”

Shelton, whose recent credits included Little Fires Everywhere, Maron’s latest comedy special Marc Maron: End Times Fun, and Sword of Trust, was beloved across the industry. News of her passing was mourned by many, with myriad tributes posted on social media.

Reese Witherspoon

View this post on Instagram

I’m so devastated to hear about Lynn Shelton’s passing yesterday. I’m in complete shock that this vibrant, talented, and soulful filmmaker is no longer with us. Lynn was so passionate about our show, Little Fires Everywhere. She said the book truly spoke to her, and that she longed to direct a show that spoke meaningfully about motherhood, sexuality, race, and class in America. And she did. She cared deeply about the WHOLE cast and crew, making sure we all felt heard, seen and appreciated. Lynn also shared so much of her life with us. Her love of her son, how motherhood changed her life, her life changing decisions that made her the woman she was. I feel so fortunate that I got to collaborate with Lynn on both The Morning Show and Little Fires Everywhere. Her spirit touched so many people in the filmmaking world. Her memory lives on in our vivid days together on set and in her wonderful films. Please watch her work and see her talent for yourself. #RestInPeaceLynn 🙏🏻💫💜

A post shared by Reese Witherspoon (@reesewitherspoon) on May 16, 2020 at 2:19pm PDT

Mindy Kaling

Jillian Bell

View this post on Instagram

Absolutely devastated by the news that Lynn Shelton passed away. I couldn’t stop crying yesterday thinking about what a loss this is for the world and for our community. Anyone in the industry would tell you that if you got the call that Lynn wanted to work with you, you jumped at the chance. She was joyful. Brilliant. Really friggin’ cool. And an absolute ray of light. She had the best laugh on the planet. You can hear it in the video above. I will miss you greatly. It was much too soon for you to leave.

A post shared by Jillian Bell (@jillianbell) on May 17, 2020 at 11:16am PDT

Hailee Steinfeld

Kerry Washington

Judd Apatow

Ava DuVernay

Allison Janney

Olivia Wilde

Jade Pettyjohn

View this post on Instagram

My heart is heavy. She was a beautiful human being. She made everyone around her feel loved, she made us laugh. She was was the kind of person that you couldn’t help but love. She was my favorite director. I cherish the moments on set, filming something profound in the middle of the night, looking forward to the embrace she would give me when we got the right take. She was so giving. She let me ask her too many questions when I shadowed her. She noticed me reading The Dharma Bums, by Jack Kerouac on set one day and a few days later left a book on my doorstep with a note saying that I might like this writer Eve Babitz. She said she was the beatnik without the misogyny. It’s now one of my favorite books. She connected with everyone, and allowed others to be seen, to be heard. There is no one quite like her. Here’s to the life she lived and those she will. I will never stop missing you, my friend. Rest In Power.

A post shared by Jade Pettyjohn (@jadepettyjohn_official) on May 16, 2020 at 1:51pm PDT

Mike Birbiglia

Abbi Jacobson

Emmy Rossum

Alison Brie

View this post on Instagram

Such a shocking and devastating loss. I’ll miss you, Lynn. ❤️

A post shared by Alison Brie (@alisonbrie) on May 16, 2020 at 12:57pm PDT

Nia DaCosta

Mark Duplass