Stephen Hawking Remembered by Eddie Redmayne, Other Fans: ‘Our World Has Lost a Shining Light’

Renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking died Tuesday

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Fans and colleagues marked the death of renowned theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking late Tuesday night/early Wednesday morning, remembering the impact the scientist made, both on human understanding and on worldwide popular culture.

Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar portraying Hawking in 2015’s “The Theory of Everything,” said the following in a statement to TheWrap: “We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet. My love and thoughts are with his extraordinary family.”

Hawking died at the age of 76, bringing a close a lengthy career dedicated to understanding the vast workings of the universe. His scientific insights covered myriad fascinating subjects, including quantum mechanics, time travel, the birth and death of the universe, and black holes.

But as much a part of Hawking’s fame as his incredible brilliance was his ability to convey knowledge and understanding to others. His 1988 bestselling book “A Brief History of Time” worked to convey the science of cosmology to people with no background with the complex subject. He would go on to publish numerous popular science books throughout his career, all of which helped spark an interest and passion for science in readers.

Hawking made a massive impact on the world all while dealing with the effects of the neuro-degenerative disease ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis). When he was diagnosed at 21, in 1963, doctors gave him only a few years to live.

But though Hawking’s body suffered, his incredible mind did not. He defied his disease, which mostly paralyzed him and kept him wheelchair-bound for most of his life, and doctors’ expectations.

He contributed to humanity’s understanding of the universe in incredible ways — both through his theories, and through his work as an author. Hawking used his celebrity to share inspire people to look out at the universe and to try to understand what they saw there.

Colleagues and fans took to Twitter to remember Hawking and reflect on his incredible impact on the world, sharing the quotes, discoveries and ideas that have made the scientist such a huge part of culture.

https://twitter.com/kumailn/status/973772005467025408

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