Kobe Bryant’s death shocked the world Sunday (Jan 26), when his helicopter crashed into a mountain in Calabasas, California killing both he and his 13 year-old daughter Gianna, along with the pilot and 6 other people on board.
The 41-year-old basketball star and his daughter were reportedly on their way to Mamba Academy in California for a basketball practice, when the helicopter went down. The cause of the crash is still unknown and an investigation is unknown. Kobe is survived by his wife Vanessa and their three daughters Natalia and Bianca and Capri, who was born in June 2019.
[RELATED: Kobe Bryant and Wife Vanessa Share First Photo of Baby Girl]
Stars across every medium from politics and sports to music and movies have expressed their grief and condolences to the family for the loss of a sports legend.
Our hearts to out to the Bryant family and those suffering from the loss of loved ones in the crash.
1. Taylor Swift
“My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through,” Taylor wrote. “Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.”
My heart is in pieces hearing the news of this unimaginable tragedy. I can’t fathom what the families are going through. Kobe meant so much to me and to us all. Sending my prayers, love, and endless condolences to Vanessa and the family and anyone who lost someone on that flight.
— Taylor Swift (@taylorswift13) January 26, 2020
2. Barack Obama
“Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.”
Kobe was a legend on the court and just getting started in what would have been just as meaningful a second act. To lose Gianna is even more heartbreaking to us as parents. Michelle and I send love and prayers to Vanessa and the entire Bryant family on an unthinkable day.
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) January 26, 2020
3. Shaquille O’Neal
“There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW”
There’s no words to express the pain Im going through with this tragedy of loosing my neice Gigi & my brother @kobebryant I love u and u will be missed. My condolences goes out to the Bryant family and the families of the other passengers on board. IM SICK RIGHT NOW pic.twitter.com/pigHywq3c1
— SHAQ (@SHAQ) January 26, 2020
4. Nick Jonas
“Praying for the entire Bryant family and loved ones during this tragic time.”
Praying for the entire Bryant family and loved ones during this tragic time.
— Nick Jonas (@nickjonas) January 26, 2020
5. Jimmy Kimmel
“He was great,charismatic & among the hardest-working athletes ever,but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his 4 daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers’ families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you Kobe.”
He was great,charismatic & among the hardest-working athletes ever,but what impressed me most was how deeply-involved Kobe was with his 4 daughters. Pray for them, Vanessa, his parents & his fellow passengers' families on this sad and shocking day. We will never forget you Kobe
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) January 26, 2020
6. Clint Bowyer
“Man, this news of @kobebryant is so sad. Scary to think how fast something can go wrong and change the course of an amazing life that he built for he and his family to live and enjoy. Sad day for sports! Thoughts/prayers to his family and friends.” #BlackMamba
Man, this news of @kobebryant is so sad. Scary to think how fast something can go wrong and change the course of an amazing life that he built for he and his family to live and enjoy. Sad day for sports! Thoughts/prayers to his family and friends. 🙏 #BlackMamba
— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) January 26, 2020
7. Rob Gronkowski
What a sad day today. @kobebryant you’re a legend. I remember being in the front row of a Celtics-Lakers game & u came by shouting my name. It put a huge smile on my face- such an honor to be recognized from the greatest. You’ll be missed. Sending my love & prayers to your family
What a sad day today. @kobebryant you’re a legend. I remember being in the front row of a Celtics-Lakers game & u came by shouting my name. It put a huge smile on my face- such an honor to be recognized from the greatest. You’ll be missed. Sending my love & prayers to your family pic.twitter.com/LLcDv9VKLT
— Rob Gronkowski (@RobGronkowski) January 26, 2020
8. AJ McLean
“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. He was a legend who made his mark on the game forever. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. #RIPKobe“
I’m deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant. He was a legend who made his mark on the game forever. Thoughts and prayers go out to his family. #RIPKobe pic.twitter.com/xxrC0J6LS9
— AJ McLean (@aj_mclean) January 26, 2020
9. Duane “Dog” Chapman
“our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones today #KobeBryant heartbreaking.”
💔. our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones today #KobeBryant heartbreaking pic.twitter.com/dgjdOuFvmT
— Duane Dog Chapman (@DogBountyHunter) January 26, 2020
10. Donnie Wahlberg
“I can always find words. Today, I’m having a hard time.” #Kobe #RIPKobe #RIPMamba #KobeBryant
I can always find words.
Today, I’m having a hard time. 😢#Kobe #RIPKobe#RIPMamba #KobeBryant
— Donnie Wahlberg (@DonnieWahlberg) January 26, 2020
11. Tulsi Gabbard
“Such a tragic and heartbreaking loss. My prayers are with Kobe Bryant’s wife Vanessa and their family, and the families of those killed in the helicopter crash today. Kobe’s legacy will live on through the many lives he inspired through his own. #RIPKobe #VayaConDios“
Such a tragic and heartbreaking loss. My prayers are with Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa and their family, and the families of those killed in the helicopter crash today. Kobe's legacy will live on through the many lives he inspired through his own. #RIPKobe #VayaConDios pic.twitter.com/VoYBo02hbA
— Tulsi Gabbard 🌺 (@TulsiGabbard) January 26, 2020
12. Cary Elwes
“I met #KobeBryant once in Santa Monica as he was signing autographs and taking photos with a mob of fans. I watched as he gave each and every one of them his undivided attention. He then smiled and shook my hand and said, “Nice to meet you.” A gentleman as well as a legend. RIP”
I met #KobeBryant once in Santa Monica as he was signing autographs and taking photos with a mob of fans. I watched as he gave each and every one of them his undivided attention. He then smiled and shook my hand and said, “Nice to meet you.” A gentleman as well as a legend. RIP pic.twitter.com/rcCQj8toYa
— Cary Elwes (@Cary_Elwes) January 26, 2020
13. Lisa Vanderpump
“Oh no,rest in peace you extraordinary man Kobe Bryant. What a tragedy. Such a loss.”
Oh no,rest in peace you extraordinary man Kobe Bryant.
What a tragedy.
Such a loss.— Lisa Vanderpump (@LisaVanderpump) January 26, 2020
14. Melania Trump
“Thoughts and prayers to the family of #Kobe Bryant and those who lost loved ones in today’s tragic crash. Rest In Peace.”
Thoughts and prayers to the family of #Kobe Bryant and those who lost loved ones in today’s tragic crash. Rest In Peace.
— Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) January 26, 2020
15. Jeremy Piven
“He outworked everyone and I was so happy that he could spend more time with his beautiful family. What an authentic generous soul . Gutted for his family and everyone in that crash . We are here for a finite amount of time, remember that and say I love u more please #KobeBryant“
He outworked everyone and I was so happy that he could spend more time with his beautiful family. What an authentic generous soul . Gutted for his family and everyone in that crash . We are here for a finite amount of time, remember that and say I love u more please #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/M6oViNa1r2
— Jeremy Piven (@jeremypiven) January 26, 2020
16. Jason Priestly
“Such sad news about #KobeBryant… a tragedy to say the least…”
Such sad news about #KobeBryant… a tragedy to say the least…
— Jason Priestley (@Jason_Priestley) January 26, 2020
17. David Hasselhoff
“He was such an inspiration and his work ethic, 2nd to none, is something to realize that Dreams do come true, but hard work is part of that dream. Wow, a great lesson to live every day! So sad for his family! David H #KobeBryant”
He was such an inspiration and his work ethic, 2nd to none, is something to realize that Dreams do come true, but hard work is part of that dream. Wow, a great lesson to live every day! So sad for his family! David H #KobeBryant pic.twitter.com/YrybhXngA8
— David Hasselhoff (@DavidHasselhoff) January 26, 2020
18. Brett Favre
Incredibly sad news about @kobebryant Prayers and condolences to his family. #RIPMamba 🙏 ❤️
— Brett Favre (@BrettFavre) January 26, 2020