Ryan Reynolds honors late 'Roseanne' producer Eric Gilliland: 'It's a tragedy he's gone'

Eric Gilliland is remembered for the laughter he brought to television screens and the warmth he gave to those who knew him offscreen.

Gilliland, best known for his work as a producer and writer on the '90s sitcom "Roseanne," died of colon cancer on Sunday, his sister Lisa confirmed to Variety. He was 62.

A number of stars have since paid tribute to Gilliland, including Michael Fishman, who played D.J. Connor on "Roseanne."

"Heaven got another great writer. They always take the best," Fishman wrote on Instagram Monday alongside a photo of Gilliland. "I know they're laughing hard. Endless dry wit and an encyclopedia of knowledge, Eric Gilliland is unforgettable."

USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Gilliland for comment.

Gilliland joined "Roseanne," which starred comedian Roseanne Barr alongside John Goodman and Laurie Metcalf, as a co-producer on the show’s fifth season in 1992. He stayed on through Season 8, eventually becoming an executive producer.

In addition to "Roseanne," Gilliland worked on other hit TV series such as "That ‘70s Show," "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "My Boys" and "Roseanne" spinoff "The Conners."

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Ryan Reynolds calls Eric Gilliland's death a 'tragedy'

In a lengthy Instagram post Tuesday, Ryan Reynolds reminisced on his 27-year friendship with Gilliland, who he first met during a meeting at the Fox studio lot in Los Angeles.

"He was the first big-time meeting I had at the start of my career," Reynolds wrote, adding that he was "nervous as hell to meet him." "Eric wasn't how I imagined a seriously successful comedy writer. He was so approachable."

He continued: "I traveled all over the world with Eric. He introduced me to Vaudeville and Jack Benny and welcomed me into his friend circle of impossibly talented writers and performers. He was my university. He helped me grow and find my voice. And he did all of it while finding himself. Eric never stopped becoming Eric."

Aside from Gilliland's comedic talent, Reynolds also praised him for his character.

"He was kind. And gentle. And funny as hell," Reynolds wrote. "And incapable of holding a conversation that was cruel or tore someone down. It's a tragedy he's gone and a tragedy more people won't have the chance to know him."

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"Scandal" star Dan Bucatinsky remembered Gilliland's impact in an emotional Instagram post on Monday.

"There are no words. For a man who was so good with his…," Bucatinsky wrote. "Brilliant. Sweet. Kind. FUNNY. Generous. His legacy is the wake of love he generated from so many friends. … Will miss you. RIP."

Actress Martha Plimpton, who worked with Gilliland on the podcast series "The Cinnamon Bear: A Holiday Adventure," shared a series of throwback photos for her tribute on Instagram.

"I don't have the ability to find the older pictures right now. I don't know entirely what to do with myself," Plimpton wrote. "Today is harder. The world is a less happy and laughter-filled place without my friend, @ergill2, Eric Gilliland."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Eric Gilliland dies: Ryan Reynolds, Michael Fishman, more pay tribute