John Legend, Ice-T, Michael Caine, and more pay tribute to Quincy Jones: 'A genius has left us'

Lin Manuel Miranda, LL Cool J, Elton John, and Colman Domingo also paid their respects to the music and TV legend, who died Sunday at 91.

Hollywood is mourning a legend.

Quincy Jones, a giant in the music industry whose work as an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger, record executive, and producer touched many, died Sunday at 91. News of his passing has been met with an outpouring of love from those who crossed paths with the Grammy-winning music legend, or were otherwise influenced by his imprint on culture.

Fellow decorated producer and artist John Legend was among those who took to social media to celebrate Jones’ life and career.

"The first time I ever spoke to Q, he was gently reprimanding me because one of my team members wasn’t representing me well during my first year in the public eye. What a way to meet one of your heroes,” Legend began his tribute post. “Well after that, we became good friends: we collaborated, we celebrated together all over the world, from Como to Montreux, California to New York. He always called me his little brother because I look like his younger brother Richard. He gave me great advice and always had the best stories. And Lord did he have stories.”

After encouraging followers to check out Jones’ autobiography and Netflix documentary, Legend celebrated the late composer's lasting legacy.

"This man has lived one of the most consequential lives in the history of humanity,” he continued. “He was behind some of the most important music and culture we will ever know. And beyond all his accomplishments, anyone who knows Q will talk about the JOY he brought to every room. He was the life of the party, so charming and full of light ”

He concluded, “I feel so fortunate to have witnessed it in person. But we’re all so fortunate to live in a world made more beautiful by the music he created. It will be eternally in our hearts.”

Oscar-winner Michael Caine, a longtime friend of Jones’ who happens to share a birthday with the famed composer, took to X (formerly Twitter) with his own tribute post. “My Celestial twin Quincy was a titan in the musical world,” he wrote. “He was a wonderful and unique human being, lucky to have known him.”

Ice-T, who won his first Grammy after contributing to Jones' 1989 track "Back on the Block,” wrote in his own X post, "I  woke up today to the Terrible news that we lost Quincy Jones.. Genius is a discription [sic] loosely used but Rarely deserved. Point blank, Quincy was the MAN. I won my 1st Grammy with Quincy and I live with his Wisdom daily. My condolences go out to his family who I had the honor of meeting. This one Hit me. God bless you KING."

Will Smith, whose hit TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel Air was produced by Jones, shared his own tribute, alongside photos of himself and Jones together over the years.

"Quincy Jones is the definition of a Mentor, a Father and a Friend,” Smith wrote. “He pointed me toward the greatest parts of myself. He defended me. He nurtured me. He encouraged me. He inspired me. He checked me when he needed to. He let me use his wings until mine were strong enough to fly.”

LL Cool J chimed in with his own heartfelt post, sharing a photo of Jones with the caption, “You were a father and example at a time when I truly needed a father and example. Mentor. Role model. King. You gave me opportunities and shared wisdom. Music would not be music without you. My condolences to the entire family. I love you. Rest in the sweetest music eternally.”

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DJ and record producer David Guetta also praised Jones for influencing him personally — and having a wider impact on the industry at large.

"It’s hard to find the words to express the impact @QuincyDJones has had on me, as well as on music and culture as a whole,” Guetta began. “Quincy wasn’t just a legend, he was an inspiration, a trailblazer, and a true genius. He produced my favorite album of all time, ‘Thriller’ by @michaeljackson, an album that set the standard for what music could be, blending genres and pushing boundaries.”

He continued, “I had the honor of meeting Quincy, notably at the Grammys, where we even had the chance to speak in French, a language he mastered so beautifully. Those moments will stay with me forever. Thank you, Quincy, for all you’ve given us. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of artists to come.”

Elton John shared a touching tribute to the music giant as well, writing, “Nobody had a career as incredible as Quincy Jones. He played with the best and he produced the best. What a guy. Loved him.”

Whoopi Goldberg, whose breakthrough role in The Color Purple was accompanied by Jones’ indelible score, wrote that he was a “dear friend” for several decades, after the duo bonded while making the 1985 film.

"I was lucky enough to have him in my life for all these years," Goldberg wrote. "My heart is breaking for his friends & his extended family who loved and adored him... my condolences."

Related: Whoopi Goldberg delivers emotional tribute to her Color Purple composer Quincy Jones live on The View: 'I had no better friend'

Sharing an archival photo of Jones early in his career, actor Colman Domingo recalled meeting the musical icon in a tribute post on X.

"He asked, where are you from? Philly I replied, his eyes twinkled and he talked about the Uptown Theater,” Domingo recalled. “I was so thrilled to meet Mr. American Music himself. I literally kneeled because he was a King. Thank you Mr. Quincy Jones for giving us all the sound.”

Sharing a photo of himself with Jones, Lin Manuel Miranda wrote, “A genius has left us. Grateful for all he gave us. Rest easy, maestro. And thank you for the music.”

Elsewhere, Hootie & the Blowfish frontman Darius Rucker wrote, “We have lost one of the all time greats. The world will miss Quincy Jones. Rest my friend.”

Along with dubbing him one of her “biggest inspirations,” singer Victoria Monét acknowledged the massive footprint that Jones has left on culture, writing, “Your legacy will live on forever and ever. Heaven definitely got an upgrade with you.”

Al Roker noted that he once had the pleasure of interviewing Jones and reflected on the experience fondly.

“The world lost a musical genius, philanthropist, activist and so much more with the passing of @quincyjones at 91,” he began. “No other composer/producer had a bigger impact on almost every genre of music. When I interviewed him, he told me ‘all music is the same 12 notes. We’ve been using them for more than 700 years.’ Nobody arranged those notes like Quincy Jones.”

Tyler Perry, who once named a soundstage at his Atlanta studio in Atlanta after the legendary composer, wrote that was "honored to have known" Jones.

"I have a heart that’s beating, but broken. I have a mind that’s full of beautiful memories, drowning in sadness. I’m a writer fighting to find the words. I know that death is a part of life, but watching so many of the people who have inspired me—who made me smile, laugh, dream, and hope—leave this planet is really putting me in a difficult place," Perry wrote. "I was so honored to have known you, Q, and to dedicate a soundstage to you. You not only brought music and light, but you also shared so much of your wisdom with me. I’m going to miss you, my friend. Sending prayers to all your family."

Harry Connick Jr. remembered Jones on Instagram as his "hero" and "one of the greatest minds the music world has ever known."

Connick Jr. added, "He was so kind to me, so wonderful, such an influence. his legacy and his music will live forever. thank you for everything, Q. You were the dude. I love you and will miss you always. Rest in peace."

Rev. Al Sharpton shared that he was “saddened” to learn the news of Jones’ death, adding, “Today, we remember a true giant—a cultural icon whose transformative influence will live on.”

Halloween star Jamie Lee Curtis took to Instagram to reveal her own connection to Jones — that he bought and raised his family in the very same house where she grew up.

"The idea that his children ran and played in the same beautiful, rustic, eucalyptus tree environment makes me so happy,” she wrote. “His musical legacy is and will be written about for the rest of time, but the verisimilitude of time and place and the DNA of family is very personal and known to few. To his children who played and grew there and to his family and friends, my hand in yours.”

Former Today host Katie Couric also shared a photo with Jones, writing that he was “one of the greats.”

Over the course of his 70-year career, Jones won 28 Grammys from an all-time best of 80 nominations. In addition to cementing his fame by writing and producing some of Michael Jackson’s biggest hits — beginning with his  breakthrough 1979 album Off the Wall and including his transformative sixth album, 1982’s Thriller — Jones was also also a prolific film composer, providing the music for such acclaimed titles as The Italian Job and The Color Purple. He also served as a conductor, arranger and music supervisor on The Wiz, and composed the music for the landmark TV miniseries, Roots.