Legendary Saturday Night Live music producer Hal Willner has died at age 64, possibly from coronavirus complications, and the entertainment community took to social media to pay their respects.
Musician Questlove, comedian and former SNL writer John Mulaney, show writer Paula Pell and more who’ve worked alongside Willner mourned the loss of a musical savant, source of comedic relief and “the gentlest genius.” Mulaney even wrote in the postscript of his tribute: “P.S. You loved life completely and lived it intensely and I know you would find it funny that it took a global pandemic to take you away.”
Aside from his work at the late-night sketch comedy show, starting back in 1981, artists from Bebe Buell to Osaka Popstar’s John Cafiero appreciated his wide taste in music as someone who produced albums for Lou Reed and Marianne Faithfull, who was recently hospitalized in London after testing positive for COVID-19.
Scroll through celebrities’ reactions to Willner’s untimely death below.
Hal
I love you. I liked you in my life so much. When I got horrible reviews you sent me a full email of Lou Reed quotes on how to view critics. It meant so much to me. You changed my way of thinking on how to make stuff. You made what you wanted w/ the people you loved. Bye Hal pic.twitter.com/wGeaWvEILS— John Mulaney (@mulaney) April 7, 2020
Hal Willner was the gentlest genius at SNL. He bemoaned artists abandoning weirdness and authenticity but never gave up searching for it. We love you forever. Fuck off this disease and especially its enablers. https://t.co/2KDPcSaCQa
— Paula Pell (@perlapell) April 7, 2020
As unique a person I ever had the fortune to cross paths with. https://t.co/aurXZNsEYX
— Seth Meyers (@sethmeyers) April 7, 2020
Hal was a part of so much of the music and pop culture comedy we have all enjoyed for years. He was kind and extremely cool. So sorry to hear this. Sending love to his family. https://t.co/UdecryPuEx
— Ben Stiller (@RedHourBen) April 7, 2020
Hal Willner Dead: ‘SNL’ Music Mainstay, Record Producer Had COVID-19 – Variety. – so sad. Some people are such a gift to the world. They just put good stuff out there and make our lives better. https://t.co/W07Y1efJgi
— Judd Apatow (@JuddApatow) April 7, 2020
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-sUt7ZDDZY/?igshid=1uceim55v6me1
My friend Hal passed away due to the coronavirus. He was a mad genius. He loved everything weird. He always made me feel good in an environment where it was sometimes hard to feel good about yourself. I really love him. I love you Hal. https://t.co/y1ocQIKo6Q
— Taran Killam (@TaranKillam) April 7, 2020
Absolutely devastated to get this news about my weird and lovely pal, Hal. We are heartbroken. Love, love, love to Sheila and Arlohttps://t.co/p2cf9CRIrP
— Julia Louis-Dreyfus (@OfficialJLD) April 7, 2020
Lost more than a close friend today. Hal Willner was such a legendary music industry giant. True artist. True visionary. No bullshit. No half steppin. Pure soul and art. I’ve known Hal since I was 4-5 years old. Was my fathers student and one of MY mentors. Love you Hal. RIP. pic.twitter.com/lz2uvGSlSR
— Adam Dorn aka Mocean Worker. (@moceanworker) April 7, 2020
RIP Hal Willner a brilliant producer with amazing eclectic taste, an incredibly diverse range, and an appreciation of art running the spectrum from high brow to the bizarre. Really enjoyed the conversations we had and wish there were more to come. #RIPHalWillner https://t.co/lzq3pL6cpw
— John Cafiero (@johncafiero) April 7, 2020
Literally irreplaceable. I’m not ready to list all the ways he was wonderful yet, but he just made everything special and better. I love Hal Willner so much. This is the worst.https://t.co/1CC8u2fTOw
— Anna Drezen (@annadrezen) April 7, 2020
The amazingly talented, innovative, eclectic & visionary music producer Hal Willner passed today. A true artist, a lover of music, a devoted father, a good friend & an angel in my life when I really needed one. Hal helped me find the light in the darkness. Devastated by this news
— Tim Robbins (@TimRobbins1) April 7, 2020