Oscar winner and staunch environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio paid tribute on Monday to Paul Allen, Microsoft’s co-founder whose death was announced on Monday.
“Sad to hear of the passing of Paul Allen, who was a strong advocate for environmental protection,” wrote the actor on Twitter. “He and the team at Vulcan played a pivotal role in developing the Shark Conservation Fund alongside LDF. His legacy lives on via his incredible work as a philanthropist and investor,” added DiCaprio.
Allen, who co-founded Microsoft with Bill Gates and went on to become owner of the Seattle Seahawks and Portland Trail Blazers, died from complications related to non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma at the age of 65.
His death was announced on the website of his current company, Vulcan Inc., which DiCaprio referenced in his Twitter tribute to the late tech icon.
DiCaprio has been a longtime advocate for the environment.
He produced and appeared in the 2016 climate change documentary, “Before the Flood.” DiCaprio also met with President Donald Trump’s team in late 2016 to present a “framework” on how focusing on renewable, clean energy could create millions of jobs. He teamed up last year with Mexican president Enrique Pena Nieto in an effort to save the endangered vaquita porpoise, native to the Gulf of California.
“The Revenant” star also met with Pope Francis at the Vatican in 2016 to discuss the environment, which both men have displayed an interest in protecting.
Sad to hear of the passing of Paul Allen, who was a strong advocate for environmental protection. He and the team at Vulcan played a pivotal role in developing the Shark Conservation Fund alongside LDF. His legacy lives on via his incredible work as a philanthropist and investor.
— Leonardo DiCaprio (@LeoDiCaprio) October 16, 2018