Bill Paxton dead at 61: Tom Hanks, Charlize Theron and more pay tribute

Stars have taken to social media to express their sadness and pay tribute to the late Bill Paxton.

Paxton, 61, passed away suddenly after complications from surgery, his family said in a statement on Sunday.

The actor leaves behind his second wife, Louise Newbury, and their two children, James 23, and 19-year-old Lydia.

Paxton, who was well known for his roles in Big Love, Apollo 13, Aliens, Titanic and more, impacted many of Hollywood's greatest who have shared their grief.

Tom Hanks, Paxton's co-star in Apollo 13 described him as "a wonderful man."

 His 1998 Mighty Joe Young co-star Charlize Theron remembered him as "one of the finest actors."

Twister co-star Helen Hunt posted a moving tribute, and said "he made this movie great - he acted his heart out. What a talented man."

Paxton's Titanic director James Cameron, in a statement to Vanity Fair, said:

"I’ve been reeling from this for the past half hour, trying to wrap my mind and heart around it.Bill leaves such a void. He and I were close friends for 36 years, since we met on the set of a Roger Corman ultra-low budget movie. He came in to work on set, and I slapped a paint brush in his hand and pointed to a wall, saying “Paint that!

"We quickly recognized the creative spark in each other and became fast friends. What followed was 36 years of making films together, helping develop each others projects, going on scuba diving trips together, watching each others kids growing up, even diving the Titanic wreck together in Russian subs. It was a friendship of laughter, adventure, love of cinema, and mutual respect.

Bill wrote beautiful heartfelt and thoughtful letters, an anachronism in this age of digital shorthand. He took good care of his relationships with people, always caring and present for others. He was a good man, a great actor, and a creative dynamo. I hope that amid the gaudy din of Oscar night, people will take a moment to remember this wonderful man, not just for all the hours of joy he brought to us with his vivid screen presence, but for the great human that he was. The world is a lesser place for his passing, and I will profoundly miss him."