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Stars Pay Tribute To Film Legend Richard Attenborough

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Following the death of Richard Attenborough, stars of stage and screen have united in tribute to the movie business legend.

Lord Attenborough, affectionately known as ‘Dickie’, died aged 90 on Sunday, just days before his 91st birthday.

He had been confined to a wheelchair since a stroke in 2008, and was in full-time care with his wife Sheila after the couple’s health began to decline further in 2012.

Read more: Richard Attenborough, Oscar-Winning Director of ‘Gandhi,’ Dies at 90

Sir Ben Kingsley, who Attenborough cast as Gandhi, earning Kingsley the best actor Oscar and himself best director for the lavish biopic, said in a statement: “Richard Attenborough trusted me with the crucial and central task of bringing to life a dream it took him 20 years to bring to fruition.

“When he gave me the part of Gandhi it was with great grace and joy. He placed in me an absolute trust and in turn I placed an absolute trust in him and grew to love him.

“I, along with millions of others whom he touched through his life and work, will miss him dearly.”

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Steven Spielberg, who worked with Attenborough on ‘Jurassic Park’, said: “Dickie Attenborough was passionate about everything in his life - family, friends, country and career.

“He made a gift to the world with his emotional epic Gandhi, and he was the perfect ringmaster to bring the dinosaurs back to life as John Hammond in ‘Jurassic Park’. He was a dear friend, and I am standing in an endless line of those who completely adored him.”

Many others took to Twitter to pay their respects to the actor and director, who brought to life characters in films as diverse as ‘Brighton Rock’, ‘Miracle of 34th Street’ and ‘10 Rillington Place’.

Mia Farrow said: “Richard Attenborough was the kindest man I have ever had the privilege of working with. A Prince. RIP ‘Pa’ - and thank you.”

Roger Moore added: “Greatly saddened to hear the great Richard Attenborough has left us. Such a wonderful and talented man.”

“If you only know the cuddly Attenborough in Jurassic Park, see him be just terrifying in Brighton Rock & 10 Rillington Place. Amazing actor,” said director Edgar Wright.

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Stephen Fry said: “Sad to hear of Dickie Attenborough. Family secret - he was Richard and David Dave. True story. He did so so much in so many arenas.”

Unicef, for whom Attenborough worked, said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Richard Attenborough. As a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador he was a tireless advocate for children.”

Meanwhile, the Academy tweeted a quote from the director: “I believe we need heroes… we need certain people who we can measure our own shortcomings by.”

Among the most touching messages was from Mara Wilson, who starred opposite Attenborough in ‘Miracle on 34th Street’, in which Attenborough played the character of Kris Kringle.

“Sir Richard Attenborough was the only Santa Claus I ever believed in. A wonderful man. Still in shock right now. May he rest in peace,” she said.

Read more on Yahoo Movies:

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