The Saturday death of actress and Actors Studio teacher Elizabeth Kemp has touched many of her famous students, including superstars Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper and Hugh Jackman.
During a performance on Saturday night at Fenway Park in Boston, Lady Gaga told the crowd that just before she stepped on stage that her director and co-star in the upcoming remake of “A Star Is Born,” Bradley Cooper, informed her of Kemp’s death.
“What was incredible was that Bradley told me Elizabeth died with such dignity. She knew she was going to go but he told me it was very graceful,” Gaga told her fans. “She would have wanted each and every one of you to feel so grateful. … She was such a strong woman. She used to ask me all the time to go back to the hardest thing in my heart for the stage.”
The singer followed up her kind words by dedicating her performance of her hit single, “The Edge of Glory,” to her late mentor. Watch Gaga’s tribute below.
Shortly afterward, Jackman posted the video of Gaga’s performance to his Twitter account and paid his own respects to Kemp.
“Elizabeth Kemp I celebrate your life and am profoundly grateful to have spent precious time with you,” he wrote.
Elizabeth Kemp I celebrate your life and am profoundly grateful to have spent precious time with you. https://t.co/oGqVbSwSOW@ladygaga
– Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) September 3, 2017
In 2011, Kemp appeared as a special guest during Cooper’s interview on “Inside the Actors Studio,” a moment that brought Cooper to tears as he reflected on his time working with her.
“The thing I wanted to say was that I was never able to relax in my life before her,” Cooper said.
Bradley Cooper on Elizabeth Kemp from 16th Street Actors Studio on Vimeo.
Other famous names also mourn Kemp’s sudden death at 65.
Rest in peace sweet amazing talented Elizabeth Kemp.We were new friends. I wish we could have become old friends?
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) September 2, 2017
So saddened to heard of the passing of Elizabeth Kemp. As an acting teacher, she touched so many. This is powerful! https://t.co/AzpK1d3WSB
— Perez (@ThePerezHilton) September 3, 2017