‘An icon for equality’: Celebs pay tribute to Nelson Mandela

I just heard: 1 of the angels on earth has passed. Nelson Mandela is a triumph of love over hate. I had a private audience once: he WAS love

— Val Kilmer (@ValEKilmer) December 5, 2013

Respect and love of Mandibas' passing #NelsonMandela

— Sharon Stone (@sharonstone) December 5, 2013

Today marks the passing of one of the greatest freedom fighters history has ever known. We love you Nelson Mandela. #ripmadiba

— Talib Kweli Greene (@TalibKweli) December 5, 2013

To recognize what NelsonMandela DID for our RIGHTS to FIGHT wrong simply means building a human bridge across EARTH.. pic.twitter.com/oG6X5Ubwjx

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) December 5, 2013

The mission to FREE Mandela was woven into the blueprint of PublicEnemy using RAP & Hip Hop to recognize THIS MAN RIP pic.twitter.com/HEcYZVpPtr

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) December 5, 2013

It always seems impossible until its done.Nelson Mandela

— soleil moon frye (@moonfrye) December 5, 2013

#RIP Nelson Mandela. The best example of a human being I can think of. The world is a better place because of you. Thank you

— Sarah Michelle (@RealSMG) December 5, 2013

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela. #Peace #love #Forever

— David Boreanaz (@David_Boreanaz) December 5, 2013

#NelsonMandela you made your people proud!! We'll always love you for it!

— Rihanna (@rihanna) December 5, 2013

Just finished @charlierose interview. Naturally talked a lot about Mandela. Thoughts with his family and of course all of South Africa

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 5, 2013

Rest peacefully Mr. Mandela. Your strength & determination will forever inspire.

— Wendy Williams (@WendyWilliams) December 5, 2013

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world." Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela http://t.co/F4TD8UTDI5

— Morgan Spurlock (@MorganSpurlock) December 5, 2013

RIP, Mr Mandela.As my dad says, “You did good.”

— Jeri Ryan (@JeriLRyan) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela and myself had a wonderful relationship–he was a special man and will be missed. http://t.co/GVziRpWbkB

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 5, 2013

Mandela stood for justice and truth!! Today the world lost a beautiful soul, fighter and true KING!! #RIPMandela http://t.co/Y6hCvwk49u

— Diddy (@iamdiddy) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela was the embodiment of discipline, courage, love and forgiveness. "There is no future without forgiveness"-@NelsonMandela

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) December 5, 2013

Ice-T Nelson Mandela rap. > Prepared to die "RIP MANDELA " http://t.co/ngTPdsuqRP via @youtube

— ICE T (@FINALLEVEL) December 5, 2013

LongLive NELSON MANDELA ?????????????

— Ben Vereen (@BenVereen) December 5, 2013

Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. A true inspiration & role model for peace & international collaboration. We will continue to learn from him.

— Buzz Aldrin (@TheRealBuzz) December 5, 2013

"I'm not a saint, unless you think of a saint as a sinner who just keeps trying," @NelsonMandela. God Bless you real good gentle spirit…

— Angela Bassett (@ImAngelaBassett) December 5, 2013

My thoughts tonight for #NelsonMandela Warrior for Peacehttps://t.co/H1bThCJY38

— Sean Astin (@SeanAstin) December 5, 2013

Today the world lost one it's greatest leaders. Rest in peace Mandela…

— Eva Longoria (@EvaLongoria) December 5, 2013

RIP NELSON MANDELA

— Hood Billionaire (@rickyrozay) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela my good friend he always love me and I love him forever

— The Iron Sheik (@the_ironsheik) December 5, 2013

I join the people of South Africa and the world in honoring the life of Nelson Mandela. His commitment to freedom… http://t.co/hI5kyVmkOI

— Lynda Carter (@RealLyndaCarter) December 5, 2013

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination." #RIPNelsonMandela

— Lindsay Lohan (@lindsaylohan) December 5, 2013

What a heroic, beautiful life Mandela lived. Rest in peace.

— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 5, 2013

I've never been so honored to meet anyone #Mandela http://t.co/leoKOaA4BO

— John Legend (@johnlegend) December 5, 2013

Thank you Father Mandela!Our eternal hero!

— OMAR EPPS (@omarepps) December 5, 2013

Prayers go out the Mandela family. #RIPMandela

— Chris Tucker (@realctucker) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela made me believe anything is possible.Amazing man.Condolences to his family.#Freedom

— Debi Mazar (@debimazar) December 5, 2013

Thank you so much. Rest now. #NelsonMandela #Madiba #RIP http://t.co/UeTFtkeGUo

— Holly Robinson Peete (@hollyrpeete) December 5, 2013

"If people can learn to hate, they can be taught to love." – #NelsonMandela, RIP & may your words live on… pic.twitter.com/4UiAsZ6imu

— Katie Couric (@katiecouric) December 5, 2013

There is not a person on earth whose life was not affected by Nelson Mandela. Whether they knew it or not. #hero

— Dana Delany (@DanaDelany) December 5, 2013

Feel blessed 2 have met #NelsonMandela ..such an incredible contributor 2 humanity. He taught me that true dignity is precious beyond words!

— Aubrey O'Day (@AubreyODay) December 5, 2013

My Condolences to family and close friends of Nelson Mandela. God bless you all.

— DeionSanders (@DeionSanders) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela. Incredible life. Incredible man.

— Sherrod Small (@Sherrod_Small) December 5, 2013

Hard to imagine a world without Nelson Mandela in it. One of the greatest heroes of our time, or any other. RIP

— Jason O'Mara (@jason_omara) December 5, 2013

Rest in Peace, Nelson Mandela. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.

— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) December 5, 2013

nelson mandela's life has inspired us all. we lost a remarkable, inspiring, courageous human being today.

— moby (@thelittleidiot) December 5, 2013

GOD Bless the Soul of 1 of The Greatest Humans this Planet has ever known! A True Rep of Love, Courage, Sacrifice & Strength. #MANdela

— COMMON (@common) December 5, 2013

God bless Nelson Mandela. Global warrior, leader, inspiration & friend of @ElizabethTaylor in HIV/AIDS war. Rest Hero.

— kathy ireland (@kathyireland) December 5, 2013

#NelsonMandela God bless his family. May he rest in peace. http://t.co/Sy9RR4veGD

— Lacey Chabert (@IamLaceyChabert) December 5, 2013

My heart aches!! Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela….

— Tia Mowry (@TiaMowry) December 5, 2013

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.~Nelson Mandela

— bob saget (@bobsaget) December 5, 2013

Rest in Peace Nelson #Mandela — a true champion of #HumanRights.” Peace – justice – love

— John Cusack (@johncusack) December 5, 2013

It always seems impossible until it is done. – Nelson Mandela – #RIP

— Romany Malco (@romanymalco) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela: A man of principle who lived by his beliefs and changed a country and the world. pic.twitter.com/7efPOFojRm

— Paul Stanley (@PaulStanleyLive) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela sadly passed away. A sad day. A great man.

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) December 5, 2013

President Obama – please attend Nelson Mandela's funeral on behalf of all of us.

— Michael Moore (@MMFlint) December 5, 2013

The privilege of spending a small amount of private time w/ Mr. Mandela as he held my baby daughter, is a highlight of my life.

— young fred sanford (@RyanPhillippe) December 5, 2013

Mandela was bouncing Ava, then two yrs old, on his knee & called her, "future leader". I couldn't believe it in that moment. I still can't.

— young fred sanford (@RyanPhillippe) December 5, 2013

The valiant Nelson Mandela. http://t.co/TexZSXlASU

— Ian McKellen (@IanMcKellen) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela is gone. Goodbye and God bless you for all you did for humanity…

— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) December 5, 2013

The Circle of Life is Real. Rejoice in the fullness of life that the Man & Legend Nelson Mandela lived and the values he Personified #RIP

— Omar Benson Miller (@OmarMiller) December 5, 2013

A great man. A Great life lived. #RIPMandela pic.twitter.com/BBsQoGjVLq

— Travon Free (@Travon) December 5, 2013

#Mandela That is all.

— Judy Blume (@judyblume) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela led by moral example, by deeds, and by words. May his life and legacy humble us and guide us. Thoughts to all South Africa.

— Garry Kasparov (@Kasparov63) December 5, 2013

Sad Day. We will miss you….Nelson Mandela Dead: Former South Africa President Dies At 95 http://t.co/yXl2UmLJOj via @BlackVoices

— Mark Ruffalo (@MarkRuffalo) December 5, 2013

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.

— Joshua Malina (@JoshMalina) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela was an angel walking on this earth. You were one the greatest teachers this world has ever known. We love you and we miss you

— Russell Simmons (@UncleRUSH) December 5, 2013

Free Nelson Mandela! Nelson Mandela Is Free. #Respect

— Questlove Gomez (@questlove) December 5, 2013

Today is officially one of the saddest days! The world has lost the most inspirational person to ever walk the earth rip #NelsonMandela

— Kelly Osbourne (@KellyOsbourne) December 5, 2013

My thoughts and love go out to the Mandela family. Rest in Peace Madiba. You will be missed, but your impact on this world will live forever

— Charlize Theron (@CharlizeAfrica) December 5, 2013

RIP, Mr. Mandela…we are all better to have witnessed your grace.

— Richard Marx (@richardmarx) December 5, 2013

#NelsonMandela just passed away. What an amazing man & legacy. RIP #Tata

— Dave Mustaine (@DaveMustaine) December 5, 2013

RIP 2 ONE OF OUR LAST TRULY GREAT KINGS AND GOD OF OUR UNIVERSE, THE LATE GREAT NELSON MANDELA!!! I WILL 4EVER LOVE U GREAT MAN & GREAT MIND

— Busta Rhymes (@BustaRhymes) December 5, 2013

Never met a better person in my life than Nelson Mandela. My sympathy to his family & his country.

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) December 5, 2013

being here in AFRICA knowing the great MANDELA is no longer with us… very sad.. he will be missed but not forgotten %SOON

— MAXWELL (@_MAXWELL_) December 5, 2013

Speechless… R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.

— Abigail Breslin (@yoabbaabba) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela. Thank you for all you have done …. Heaven awaits you with open arms . #blessings

— Antonio sabato jr (@antoniosabatojr) December 5, 2013

It was honor to have met you Mr. Mandela!

— Shawn Stockman PhD (@shawnstockman) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela What an incredible life Long Walk to Freedom -great autobiography

— Steve Komertz (@SteveKomertz) December 5, 2013

I want 2give the world a hug I was told Mandeba just passed. Nelson Mandela R.I.P. Time for a well earned sleep.Condolences to his family

— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) December 5, 2013

"A good head and a good heart are always a formidable combination"- Nelson Mandela. Rest in peace, you great man. You will be missed.

— emma caulfield (@emmacaulfield) December 5, 2013

I hope the great work started by Nelson Mandela continues to spread across the world. He will be remembered as an icon for equality.

— William Shatner (@WilliamShatner) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela, rest in peace. What an unbelievable legacy…

— Neil Patrick Harris (@ActuallyNPH) December 5, 2013

God Bless Nelson Mandela and his family! What a long and meaningful life! Rest in Eternal Peace! #rip

— Melissa Joan Hart (@MelissaJoanHart) December 5, 2013

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela

— LeAnn Rimes Cibrian (@leannrimes) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela. What a difference one person can make. #RestEternally

— GOAT. (@llcoolj) December 5, 2013

My thoughts & prayers go out to Pres Nelson Mandela's family on his passing today. One of the greatest humans I ever had privilege to meet.

— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) December 5, 2013

R.I.P Nelson Mandela

— OneRepublic (@OneRepublic) December 5, 2013

So sad to hear of Nelson Mandela's passing. What a life well lived! RIP

— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) December 5, 2013

Dearest Nelson Mandela. An inspiring life doesn't begin to describe, an icon, a hero, a saint to the fullest. #RIP marvelous, beautiful man.

— Eliza Dushku (@elizadushku) December 5, 2013

A great Soul has left us!!!! Nelson Mandela… Rest in Peace!

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) December 5, 2013

"I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it." TY #NelsonMandela 4 your light. It benefitted all of us. RIP

— Jennifer Beals (@jenniferbeals) December 5, 2013

At NYU I got to be a marshall for the Nelson Mandela Welcome Committee & worked the Yankee Stadium rally. He was my hero, and still is.

— John Fugelsang (@JohnFugelsang) December 5, 2013

Nelson Mandela made the world a better place. Rest in peace you brave soul

— Will Hoge (@WillHoge) December 5, 2013

perhaps i was sensing the passing of #nelsonmandela who brought great humanity in a punishing time of our history. i… http://t.co/NdjxwmUEYL

— Sandra Bernhard (@SandraBernhard) December 5, 2013

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela. Humanity at its absolute best.

— Albert Brooks (@AlbertBrooks) December 5, 2013

"the greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall" #RIPNelsonMandela #NelsonMandela

— Kenneth Cole (@KennethCole) December 5, 2013

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered." ~Nelson Mandela

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) December 5, 2013

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela. U can't say Martin Luther King Malcolm X or Gandhi without saying his name too.”

— lil duval (@lilduval) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela

— Traci Lords (@thetracilords) December 5, 2013

How many of the great heroes of the 20th century died peacefully at home of old age surrounded by loved ones? Damn few. #Mandela

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela.

— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela.

— Donald Faison (@donald_faison) December 5, 2013

Oh Mandela, rest in peaceful freedom.

— olivia wilde (@oliviawilde) December 5, 2013

How very very sad. The world just lost one of the greatest people ever. Nelson Mandela. The highlight of my life was meeting him. So sad

— Suze Orman (@SuzeOrmanShow) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela u changed the Whole world with your dignity and Strength!!! #TeamDl

— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) December 5, 2013

Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela #Speechless

— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) December 5, 2013

R.I.P. Nelson Mandela.

— Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) December 5, 2013

Rest in peace Nelson Mandela

— Chelsea Peretti (@ChelseaVPeretti) December 5, 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela

— RAY JR (@rayjr216) December 5, 2013

Oh no. Just heard. Madiba dead. One of the greatest ever to share the planet with us. #mandela

— Stephen Fry (@stephenfry) December 5, 2013