Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane and other celebs pay tribute to writing legend Neil Simon

Cydney Henderson | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption 'The Odd Couple' playwright Neil Simon dies at 91 Neil Simon, the playwright behind comedic hits including "The Odd Couple" and "The Goodbye Girl," has died at 91

Hollywood is mourning Neil Simon.

The iconic playwright, remembered fondly for hits such as "The Odd Couple," "Barefoot in the Park" and "Sweet Charity," has died at 91.

Celebrities shared personal memories of Simon, who helped shape many of their careers.

Actor Matthew Broderick, who made his Broadway debut in Simon's "Brighton Beach Memoirs," credited Simon with his career.

“It was my great good fortune that my very first Broadway play was written by Neil Simon. He also wrote my first film. I owe him a career," Broderick said in a statement. "The theater has lost a brilliantly funny, unthinkably wonderful writer and even after all this time I feel I have lost a mentor, a father figure, a deep influence in my life and work."

Nathan Lane, who played Oscar Madison to Broderick's Felix Ungar in 2005's "Odd Couple revival on Broadway, called Simon one of his theatrical heroes. "I am so proud to have played a small part in his unparalleled career and remarkable legacy," he said in a statement.

Simon's ex-wife, Marsha Mason, who starred in his stage shows and several of his films, most memorably in "The Goodbye Girl," shared the news of his death on Facebook with "heartfelt sadness and hurting."

"He was a great talent and man, husband and father," she wrote. "I miss him deeply and always."

TV journalist Dan Rather praised Simon's "a unique eye for life." Simon's sharp characters and dialogue prodded his audience "to contend with the traits that make us human."

Neil Simon brought a unique eye for life to stage and screen. Through sharp characters and dialogue, he prodded us - in laughter and tears - to contend with the traits that make us human. Another voice who understood the power of art in our American story now belongs to eternity. — Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 26, 2018

"Star Wars" actor Mark Hamill thanked the "GIANT of the American Theatre" for the laughs and quoted Simon: “'There’s no more money anyone can pay me that I need. There are no awards they can give me that I haven’t won. I have no reason to write another play except that I am alive and I like to do it."

“There’s no more money anyone can pay me that I need. There are no awards they can give me that I haven’t won. I have no reason to write another play except that I am alive and I like to do it”-Neil Simon #RIP GIANT of the American Theatre #ThanksForTheLaughs pic.twitter.com/NZIVGPLdst — Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) August 26, 2018

“It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia” star Danny DeVito called Simon a “true sunshine boy.” He tweeted: “Happy I got to have fun with him. Peace.”

Neil Simon the true Sunshine Boy. Happy I got to have fun with him. Peace — Danny DeVito (@DannyDeVito) August 26, 2018

Josh Gad remembered "another lost legend."

"To say that #NeilSimon was one of the primary influences on my life and career would be an understatement," the actor wrote. "His work, as both a participant and audience, has defined and shaped me on my own journies and (career) trajectory."

To say that #NeilSimon was one of the primary influences on my life and career would be an understatement. His work, as both a participant and audience, has defined and shaped me on my own journies and carr@eer trajectory. RIP to another lost legend. — Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 26, 2018

Henry Winkler, best known for his role on "Happy Days," told Simon to "REST IN PEACE in your brilliance."

"We lost a giant .. one of the most prolific playwrights in history. THANK YOU Neil for a life changing experience," he wrote.

We lost a giant .. one of the most prolific playwright s in history . THANK YOU Neil for a life changing experience.

REST IN PEACE in your brilliance #neilsimon — Henry Winkler (@hwinkler4real) August 26, 2018

Actor Harvey Fierstein called Simon's death a "loss 4 the entire entertainment industry."

"He could write a joke that would make you laugh, define the character, the situation, and even the world's problems," Fierstein tweeted. "First time I met him he looked at me and said, 'Where the hell did they find you?' What a gent."

Neil Simon - gone! A loss 4 the entire entertainment industry.

He could write a joke that would make you laugh, define the character, the situation, and even the world's problems. First time I met him he looked at me and said, "Where the hell did they find you?" What a gent. — Harvey Fierstein (@HarveyFierstein) August 26, 2018

"Today" weatherman Al Roker acknowledged Simon's "enduring legacy": "The laughter and joy he leaves behind is priceless," he tweeted.

What an enduring legacy Neil Simon leaves with his passing. The laughter and joy he leaves behind is priceless. pic.twitter.com/DniYQanbIP — Al Roker (@alroker) August 26, 2018

"Once Upon a Time" actor Sean Maguire wrote a final farewell: "And goodbye Neil Simon. Make them laugh in heaven."

And goodbye Neil Simon. Make them laugh in heaven. — Sean Maguire (@sean_m_maguire) August 26, 2018

Bill Pardy, co-creator of "The Big Bang Theory," said Simon's work helped shape his career. "There is no American comedy writer whose work isn’t influenced by the rhythm and music of Neil Simon’s words."

There is no American comedy writer whose work isn’t influenced by the rhythm and music of Neil Simon’s words. With gratitude, Doc. — Bill Prady (@billprady) August 26, 2018

"Bones" star David Boreanaz tweeted: "Neil Simon wrote and discovered timeless words that will forever be etched into the hearts of us all."

Neil Simon wrote and discovered timeless words that will forever be etched into the hearts of us all. R.I.P. 1927-2018 — David Boreanaz (@David_Boreanaz) August 26, 2018

“Community” star Yvette Nicole Brown said Simon was one of her heroes.

“A lot of my heroes are dying. What a sad few weeks this has been,” she tweeted, referring to the deaths of John McCain and Aretha Franklin.

A lot of my heroes are dying. What a sad few weeks this has been. #RIPNeilSimon



Neil Simon, a Master of Comedy on Broadway and Beyond, Is Dead at 91 https://t.co/F4qd2RQZve — yvette nicole brown (@YNB) August 26, 2018

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Contributing: Kim Willis and The Associated Press