Muhammad Ali Dies at Age 74: Celebrities Pay Tribute to Boxing Legend

The record-setting former world heavyweight boxing champion died Friday, a day after he was admitted to a hospital in Phoenix to treat a respiratory ailment.

Scores of celebrities took to social media to pay their respects to Muhammad Ali, who died at age 74.

The three-time world heavyweight champion heavyweight boxing champion, one of the most famous pop culture icons of his time, passed away Friday, a day after he was admitted to a hospital in Phoenix to treat a respiratory ailment.

He had for more than 30 years battled Parkinson's disease, which impaired his speech, but had occasionally stepped out at public events.

Ali, who was born Cassius Clay, won the Light Heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome and earned the title of World Heavyweight Champion three times in the '60s and '70s. He retired from boxing in 1981, three years before his Parkinson's diagnosis.

Here's what celebrities said about Ali:

Mike Tyson:

God came for his champion. So long great one. @MuhammadAli #TheGreatest #RIP pic.twitter.com/jhXyqOuabi

— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) June 4, 2016

Oscar De La Hoya:

RIP @muhammadali, a legend who transcended sport and was a true champion for all. #thegreatest #MuhammadAli pic.twitter.com/vjmXlXaHip

— Oscar De La Hoya (@OscarDeLaHoya) June 4, 2016

Arsenio Hall, who, along with co-star Eddie Murphy, paid tribute to Ali and poked fun at his name change in a memorable barbershop scene in their 1988 movie Coming to America:

Rest In Peace

A photo posted by Arsenio Hall (@arseniohall) on Jun 4, 2016 at 6:28am PDT

LL Cool J:

Muhammad Ali, we are all stronger because of the light you shared with us. Rest in peace G.O.A.T. I love you. pic.twitter.com/frRsld7iLE

— LLCOOLJ. (@llcoolj) June 4, 2016

 

Reba:

My prayers go out to the family, friends and fans of Muhammad Ali. RIP my friend. #celebrityfightnight

A photo posted by Reba (@reba) on Jun 4, 2016 at 7:13am PDT

Sarah Michelle Gellar:

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee" #rip #muhammadali #thegreatest

A photo posted by Sarah Michelle (@sarahmgellar) on Jun 4, 2016 at 6:57am PDT

Viola Davis:

"Impossible is a word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in a world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing." Muhammad Ali. You were the greatest. Thanks for giving me strength and a love of self when I couldn't muster it. Rest. The angels are singing.

A photo posted by Viola Davis (@violadavis) on Jun 4, 2016 at 5:26am PDT

Justin Timberlake:

The Greatest. Take a moment today to remember how inspiring this human being is... We will miss you... Thank you for changing the world. --JT

A photo posted by Justin Timberlake (@justintimberlake) on Jun 4, 2016 at 4:52am PDT

Jennifer Lopez:

Lying here at Ceasars after my show tonight in Vegas thinking about the #GOAT #muhammadali and thinking about how he inspired me and soooo many to want to be their greatest! #RIP ???? #ALI #inspiration #suchalegend

A photo posted by Jennifer Lopez (@jlo) on Jun 4, 2016 at 2:18am PDT

Yolanda Hadid:

??Rest in peace and fly with the Angels, it has been an honor to know you........ #TheChamp #YouWillBeMissed #Inspiration #MuhammedAli ??

A photo posted by YOLANDA (@yolanda.hadid) on Jun 3, 2016 at 10:47pm PDT

Madonna:

This Man. This King. This Hero. This Human! Words cannot express. He shook up the World! God Bless Him.

A photo posted by Madonna (@madonna) on Jun 3, 2016 at 9:58pm PDT

Michael J. Fox, who also has Parkinson's disease:

"Muhammad was a true legend—a champion in the boxing ring, and a champion for millions of Parkinson's families," he said in a statement posted on his website of the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. "We looked up to him as an example of grace and courage in the face of great challenges. He will be missed."