Reese Witherspoon’s emotional tribute to Lynn Shelton after tragic death
<p>Actress Reese Witherspoon has spoken of her “complete shock” over the sudden death of prolific television director Lynn Shelton.</p>
<p>The director and independent filmmaker passed away on Friday in Los Angeles after suffering from a blood disorder, according to a statement from her spokesperson, Adam Kersh. She was 54 years old.</p>
<p>Shelton was recently known for directing several episodes of the popular Hulu series<span> </span><em>Little Fires Everywhere</em>, starring Witherspoon. Other popular shows she’s worked on include T<em>he Mindy Project, New Girl, GLOW, Mad Men</em><span> </span>and<span> </span><em>Fresh off the Boat</em>.</p>
<p>In a statement to<span> </span><em>IndieWire</em>, Shelton’s romantic partner, comedian and writer Marc Maron said she collapsed on Friday morning after having been ill for a week. He added that “a previously unknown, underlying condition” unrelated to COVID-19 played a role in her death.</p>
<p>He shared his devastation by the sudden loss.</p>
<blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQ3op5gqnd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="12">
<div style="padding: 16px;">
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div>
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;">
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div>
<div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div>
</div>
</div>
<div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div>
<div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div>
<div style="padding-top: 8px;">
<div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div>
</div>
<p style="margin: 8px 0 0 0; padding: 0 4px;"><a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CAQ3op5gqnd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">I’m so devastated to hear about Lynn Shelton’s passing yesterday. I’m in complete shock that this vibrant, talented, and soulful filmmaker is no longer with us. Lynn was so passionate about our show, Little Fires Everywhere. She said the book truly spoke to her, and that she longed to direct a show that spoke meaningfully about motherhood, sexuality, race, and class in America. And she did. She cared deeply about the WHOLE cast and crew, making sure we all felt heard, seen and appreciated. Lynn also shared so much of her life with us. Her love of her son, how motherhood changed her life, her life changing decisions that made her the woman she was. I feel so fortunate that I got to collaborate with Lynn on both The Morning Show and Little Fires Everywhere. Her spirit touched so many people in the filmmaking world. Her memory lives on in our vivid days together on set and in her wonderful films. Please watch her work and see her talent for yourself. #RestInPeaceLynn 🙏🏻💫💜</a></p>
<p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/reesewitherspoon/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank"> Reese Witherspoon</a> (@reesewitherspoon) on May 16, 2020 at 2:19pm PDT</p>
</div>
</blockquote>
<p>“I loved her very much as I know many of you did as well,” he told the outlet. “It’s devastating. I am leveled, heartbroken and in complete shock and don’t really know how to move forward in this moment. I needed you all to know.”</p>
<p>Witherspoon took to Instagram to pay tribute to Shelton.</p>
<p>“I’m in complete shock that this vibrant, talented, and soulful filmmaker is no longer with us,” she wrote. “Lynn was so passionate about our show,<span> </span><em>Little Fires Everywhere</em>. She said the book truly spoke to her, and that she longed to direct a show that spoke meaningfully about motherhood, sexuality, race, and class in America. And she did.”</p>
<p>The actress said that Shelton “cared deeply about the whole cast and crew” and was always willing to share her life with the world.</p>
<p>“Her love of her son, how motherhood changed her life, her life changing decisions that made her the woman she was,” Witherspoon continued.</p>
<p>“Her spirit touched so many people in the filmmaking world. Her memory lives on in our vivid days together on set and in her wonderful films. Please watch her work and see her talent for yourself.”</p>
<p>Shelton is survived by her son, Milo Seal, husband of many years Kevin Seal, her parents, two brothers, one sister and partner Marc Maron, with whom she spent the last year of her life.</p>
