Stars pay tribute to Kelly Preston: 'Such a bright loving soul'
Hollywood is mourning the loss of actress Kelly Preston after her death at age 57 on Sunday.
Preston's death was confirmed by her husband, John Travolta, via an Instagram post in which he revealed his wife, whom he married in 1991, had been battling cancer for the past two years.
“It is with a very heavy heart that I inform you that my beautiful wife Kelly has lost her two-year battle with breast cancer,” Travolta wrote. “She fought a courageous fight with the love and support of so many.”
The news of Preston's passing was met with an outpouring of grief, support and memories from other stars in the movie industry, including actors Russell Crowe and Daniel Dae Kim.
"I was lucky enough to work with her on one of my very first films," Kim wrote, saying Preston "couldn’t have been warmer or kinder to a young, nervous actor trying to make good" on the set of their 1999 movie For the Love of the Game.
I was lucky enough to work with her on one of my very first films, “For Love of The Game.” We were shooting on cold days in Colorado, but she couldn’t have been warmer or kinder to a young, nervous actor trying to make good. I’ll never forget that. Thank you Kelly. #RestInPeace🙏🏼 https://t.co/szGCXxAxyI
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) July 13, 2020
Crowe also recalled an early memory of Preston, calling her a "sparkly eyed gem" and sending "love to her family."
Kelly Preston.
Can’t remember where, but, met first in late ‘92 I think.
Such a lovely person. In 1995 we auditioned together for Breaking Up, Salma Hayek got that gig.
I havent seen her much, but when I did, she was always the same sparkly eyed gem.
Love to her family.
R.I.P— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) July 13, 2020
Josh Gad, Shania Twain, Arnold Schwarzenegger and others also took to social media in the wake of Preston's death.
I’m in absolute shock. What a beautiful and amazing actress and person. So sad to hear of her passing at such a young age. My heart goes out to John Travolta and the entire family. What a loss. 🙏 RIP #KellyPreston https://t.co/yRqOmI3CjW
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) July 13, 2020
I’m unbelievably saddened by the news that Kelly Preston has passed and at such a young age. A beautiful and kind person I was fortunate enough to have known. My heart breaks for John and the kids 💔❤️ pic.twitter.com/kDophIwa6y
— Shania Twain (@ShaniaTwain) July 13, 2020
Kelly Preston was extraordinary. I was lucky enough to star with her and direct her, and her talent was off the charts. She had such a big heart, she was a wonderful wife and mother, and my thoughts are with John and the whole family.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 13, 2020
Preston leaves behind two children with Travolta, daughter Ella and son Benjamin. The couple lost their son Jett in 2009 at age 16.
