“Leonardo DiCaprio was among the many celebrities paying tribute to Dr. Jane Goodall following her death at 91.”, — write: www.dailymail.co.uk
Goodall, a revered primatologist and conservationist, died due to natural causes while she was in California amid a speaking tour on Wednesday, October 1.
DiCaprio, 50, paid homage to his ‘dear friend’ and ‘true hero’ as he revealed the last message he had sent to her.
The actor and fellow environmental activist penned a gushing caption on Instagram alongside photos of them working together over the years.
In the last year, they had been working together to executive produce Howl, a live-action, animal adventure film following an abandoned family dog and a young wolf.
Jessica Alba, Michelle Pfeiffer, Kate Hudson, Jane Fonda and many more celebrities also joined DiCaprio — as well as Prince Harry and Megan Markle who also paid tribute — in remembering the legendary conservationist.
‘Today we have lost a true hero for the planet, an inspiration to millions, and a dear friend,’ DiCaprio began.
His post continued as he honored her legacy.
‘Jane Goodall devoted her life to protecting our planet and giving a voice to the wild animals and the ecosystems they inhabit,’ he wrote.
‘Her groundbreaking research on Chimpanzees in Tanzania transformed our understanding of how our closest relatives live, socialize, and think—reminding us that we are deeply connected not only to Chimpanzees and the other great apes, but to all life.’
About her world-renowned speaking tours, he added: ‘For decades, Jane traveled the world with tireless energy, awakening generations to the wonder of the natural world. She spoke directly to the next generation, instilling hope, responsibility, and the belief that every individual can make a difference. She inspired millions to care, to act, and to hope. She never stopped.’
‘My deepest condolences to her family,’ he added before spreading awareness about the environmental protection causes she championed. ‘Please join me in honoring her legacy by supporting @janegoodallinst and other conservation groups which she cared about.’
At the end of his post, he added: ‘My last message to Jane was simple: “You are my hero.” Now, we all must carry the torch for her in protecting our one shared home.’
Joining the Oscar winner, Jessica Alba, 44, was also among the many Hollywood stars who shared touching posts in honor of Goodall.
Alba reshared a post from the New York Times on her Instagram Story and penned a short but sweet message.
‘Rest in power,’ the actress wrote alongside a white heart and an angel wing emoji.
Michelle Pfeiffer also took to Instagram to share a throwback photo of Goodall with a chimpanzee during her time in Tanzania.
She quoted the late conservationist in her caption, writing: ‘Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives, and above all, show respect & love for living things around us, especially each another.’
Kate Hudson shared the longer version of the same quote from the late conversationist and wrote: ‘Jane Goodall RIP.’
Jane Fonda remembered the time she met Goodall and shared a group photo of her posing alongside the beloved animal advocate.
Alongside the snapshot, Fonda wrote: ‘My heart breaks at the news that the brave, heartful, history-making Jane Goodall has passed.
‘Through her work with chimps, she did more than any human being has, to let us understand the richness of animal lives: their intelligence, skills, unique personalities, use of tools, empathy, suffering when one of theirs was killed,’ she continued.
‘I loved her very much. I think the best way we can honor her life is to treat the earth and all its beings like our family, with love and respect.’
Rosie O’Donnell also honored the legendary conservationist and called her an ‘angel on earth.’
She shared a photo of Goodall in New York City just last week at the Bloomberg Philanthropies Global Forum.
The comedian, 63, shared photos of the late environmental activist and wrote alongside red hearts and a teary-eyed emoji: ‘RIP Jane.’
Michael Douglas, 81, shared a throwback photo of him and Goodall standing next to each other while she cradled a chimpanzee-inspired stuffed animal.
The award-winning actor and producer wrote in his caption: ‘RIP to my fellow UN Messenger of Peace, Dr. Jane Goodall.’
His tribute continued: ‘Her legacy will forever be remembered for her unwavering dedication to our planet. My deepest condolences to the Goodall family.’
Ellen DeGeneres also took to Instagram to share a video of her sitting down with Goodall on her talk show.
The late conservationist was a guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2019.
‘Thank you Jane for all the good you’ve done. You broke barriers for women all over the world,’ the comic wrote in her caption.
Maria Shriver also shared a social media post with a photo of her with her ‘friend’ whom she ‘adored.’
She paid tribute to the conservationist with a gushing message in her caption.
‘Jane Goodall was a legendary figure and a friend. I admired her, learned from her, and was so honored to get to spend time with her over the years,’ Shriver wrote.
‘She stayed at her mission and on her mission. She changed the world and the lives of everyone she impacted.
‘The world lost one of its best today, and I lost someone I adored,’ she wrote alongside a red heart emoji.
Dr. Goodall is widely known for her groundbreaking work with chimpanzees, which began when she travelled to the Gombe Stream National Park in Tanzania in 1960.
Seventeen years later she founded the Jane Goodall Institute to support research in the Gombe park. It works to protect the species and supports youth projects aimed at benefiting animals and the environment.