Keanu Reeves shares statement on passing of 'John Wick' co-star Lance Reddick

(NEXSTAR) – Keanu Reeves, who shared the screen with late actor Lance Reddick in four installments of the “John Wick” film franchise, said he was shocked to learn of Reddick’s passing on Friday, according to a statement obtained by Variety. The latter were “heartbreaking”.

Reeves, along with “John Wick” director Chad Stahelski, said they are dedicating the upcoming fourth film to Reddick, whom he will “miss greatly.”

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our dear friend and colleague, Lance Reddick,” Reeves and Stahelski wrote in a joint statement shared with Variety. “He was an outstanding professional and a pleasure working with him. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, their children, family and friends,” he added.

Many of Reddick’s friends and former co-stars echoed similar sentiments, sharing tributes and memories on social media.

“A man of great strength and grace,” saidWendell Pierce, who starred alongside Reddick in “The Wire”. “As talented a musician as he was, so was an actor. Class symbol. Sudden unexpected sharp painful grief for our artistic family. An unimaginable pain for his personal family and loved ones. Godspeed my friend. You have made your mark here. Tear out.”

“Lance Reddick was an incredibly nice guy, and an incredibly talented actor. This is heartbreaking. My love goes out to his family, friends and colleagues.”Director James Gunn tweeted,

Ben Stiller also had kind words for Reddick, who starred in his play “Afterplay” alongside her mother, Anne Mira.

“He was excellent at what he did,” Stillerwrote on twitter,

Reddick’s representatives confirmed his death on Friday, saying the 60-year-old actor passed away “suddenly” from natural causes.

Portrait PR co-founder Mia Hansen wrote on behalf of the agency in an emailed statement to Nexstar, “Lance will be greatly missed.”

In addition to “The Wire” and the “John Wick” franchise, Reddick had recurring roles in series including “Bosch,” Netflix’s “Resident Evil,” “Oz” and “Fringe.” Her upcoming credits include the remake of the 1992 comedy “White Men Can’t Jump” as well as “John Wick: Chapter 4” and its “Ballerina” spin-off series, according to IMDb.