Nelson Mandela: His celebrity connection

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Nelson Mandela: His celebrity connection

"I will never forget my friend Madiba." -- Bill Clinton, comment and photo from social media on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2013

"I am so happy that Nelson Mandela is at last truly free. I will wave to him as he transforms into everything around me and on into the cosmos. What a race to run, Life gave him. That he made it in so much beauty tells us who we are, and who we can be." — Author Alice Walker. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

"What a sad day that such a great man has passed on and moved on up a little higher. Most extraordinary was how he rose above his being imprisoned and exalted himself above apartheid and hatred to unite the country, an unbelievable example of humanitarianism and courage." — Singer Aretha Franklin. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images)

"We count ourselves unspeakably fortunate to have been immersed in Nelson Mandela's story and legacy. It's been an honor to have been granted such proximity to a man who will go down as one of history's greatest freedom fighters and advocates for justice. I have had the privilege of spending time with President Mandela and I can say his sense of humor was as great as his optimism." — Harvey Weinstein, whose Weinstein Company released "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

"The Father of our nation, Nelson Mandela, has finished his journey. One wants to think in terms of big words when describing him, but this would not be right. Among the many things one can say about our Madiba (Nelson Mandela's tribal name) is that he never thought of himself as big. He was one of us, one of the people. His journey was our journey. And although he has physically left us now, his journey continues within us all." — Statement from South African male choral group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. (Photo by Amy Sussman/Getty Images)

"My prayers go out to his family!" -- Evander Holyfield comment and photo from social media on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2013

"Today the world lost one of the true giants of the past century. Nelson Mandela was a man of incomparable honor, unconquerable strength, and unyielding resolve — a saint to many, a hero to all who treasure liberty, freedom and the dignity of humankind." — Morgan Freeman, who starred as Mandela in "Invictus." (AP Photo/Warner Bros., Keith Bernstein)

"What I will remember most about Mr. Mandela is that he was a man whose heart, soul and spirit could not be contained or restrained by racial and economic injustices, metal bars or the burden of hate and revenge." — Boxing great Muhammad Ali. (Photo by Mike Moore/Getty Images for Fight Night)

"What a life, what a journey, what a man. Thank you for passing this way! God bless your resting soul!" -- Tyler Perry, comment and photo from social media on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2013

In this Tuesday, June 15,1999, file photo, American actor and singer Harry Belafonte poses with his wife, Julie, and South African President Nelson Mandela, front, in Pretoria, South Africa. South Africa's President Jacob Zuma said, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, that Mandela has died. He was 95. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe, Pool)

"Thank you for all you have sacrificed to improve the lives of other human beings. Rest in peace." -- Beyonce on Twitter Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013. (AP Photo/file)

"Mandela would be remembered as a remarkable man just for what happened — and didn't happen — in South Africa's transition. But more than anyone, it was he who rebooted the idea of Africa from a continent in chaos to a much more romantic view, one in keeping with the majesty of the landscape and the nobility of even its poorer inhabitants. He was also a hardheaded realist, as his economic policy demonstrated. To him, principles and pragmatism were not foes; they went hand in hand. He was an idealist without naiveté, a compromiser without being compromised." — From a tribute by musician Bono on Time.com. (AP Photo/Juda Ngwenya, File)

In this July 30, 2001 file photo, former President of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, right, speaks during a press conference alongside British model Naomi Campbell in Barcelona, Spain, before the 'Frock and Roll' benefit concert to raise money for the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Heroic in his deeds, graceful in his manner, sainted in his image, Nelson Mandela long served as both cause and muse in the entertainment community. From the 1960s, when he was a political prisoner and South Africa was under the laws of apartheid, right up to recent times, when the racist laws of the land had fallen and he was among the world�s most admired people, Mandela inspired concerts, songs, poems, fiction and movies.(AP Photo/Cesar Rangel, File)

"What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family." — Idris Elba, who has the title role in "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom." REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

In this May 17, 1996 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela, left, and actor Sidney Poitier appear at a news conference in Cape Town. Poitier is in South Africa making a film in which he portrays Mandela, alongside Michael Caine, who plays former President F. W. de Klerk in "Mandela and de Klerk," about the country's transition from a white minority government to black majority rule. Heroic in his deeds, graceful in his manner, sainted in his image, Nelson Mandela long served as both cause and muse in the entertainment community. From the 1960s, when he was a political prisoner and South Africa was under the laws of apartheid, right up to recent times, when the racist laws of the land had fallen and he was among the world�s most admired people, Mandela inspired concerts, songs, poems, fiction and movies.(AP Photo/Sasa Kralj, File)

In this March 17, 1997 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela, left, escorts Diana, Princess of Wales, during a courtesy visit to Mandela while visiting her brother, Earl Spencer, in Cape Town. Heroic in his deeds, graceful in his manner, sainted in his image, Nelson Mandela long served as both cause and muse in the entertainment community.(AP Photo/Sasa Kralj, File)

In this March 23, 1999 file photo, South African President Nelson Mandela, left, stands with American pop singer Michael Jackson at a news conference in Cape Town where Jackson announced dates for two concerts in June of which profits will go to various funds including the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund. Heroic in his deeds, graceful in his manner, sainted in his image, Nelson Mandela long served as both cause and muse in the entertainment community. From the 1960s, when he was a political prisoner and South Africa was under the laws of apartheid, right up to recent times, when the racist laws of the land had fallen and he was among the world's most admired people, Mandela inspired concerts, songs, poems, fiction and movies.(AP Photo /Obed Zilwa, File)

This June 27, 2008 file photo shows Nelson Mandela, left, speaking as Will Smith, second from left, Annie Lennox, center, and Jada Pinket Smith, right, look on at the 46664 charity concert in honor of Mandela's upcoming 90th birthday in London. (AP Photo/Edmond Terakopian, file)

"One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela's home, spend private time and get to know him. He was everything you've ever heard and more — humble and unscathed by bitterness. And he always loved to tell a good joke. Being in his presence was like sitting with grace and majesty at the same time. He will always be my hero. His life was a gift to us all." — TV personality Oprah Winfrey. REUTERS/Juda Ngwenya/Files

"Mandela was one of the great leaders and teachers of the twentieth century. He conceived a model for mortal enemies to overcome their hatred and find a way through compassion to rebuild a nation based on truth, justice and the power of forgiveness. His passing should re-ignite a worldwide effort for peace." — Paul Simon, whose acclaimed 1986 album "Graceland" was criticized by some for using South African musicians during a time when artists were boycotting the country. Some artists defended Simon and, with Mandela's approval, he toured South Africa in the 1990s. (AP Photo/Evan Agostini, File)

"Today, as it did while he inhabited our planet, Nelson Mandela's spirit truly soars with the angels. It was a spirit born of a generosity, love, compassion and hope for mankind that may never exist at such a heightened level in any single human being again. One of the most profound honors that I have had in my life was to be able to call 'Madiba' my friend and brother." — Musician Quincy Jones. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni

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"I will never forget my friend Madiba." -- Bill Clinton, comment and photo from social media on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2013

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