TMZ reports that Lee was rushed from his Hollywood home to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center earlier this morning, where he then passed away. His daughter soon confirmed the news.
While a cause of death has yet to be determined, Lee's health struggles have made headlines in recent years. Earlier this year, he battled pneumonia and was briefly hospitalized for an irregular heartbeat. This past June, the Los Angeles Police Department investigated claims of elder abuse against him.
Born Stanley Martin Lieber in 1922, Lee began his career in comics at age 18, taking an assistant position with Marvel predecessor Timely Comics in 1939. He made his debut as a writer in 1941, penning a two-page story for Captain America Comics No. 3 under his pseudonym.
That same year, Lee was named interim editor at 19 by publisher Martin Goodman. In 1942, he enlisted in the army and served in the United States Signal Corps, writing manuals, training films and slogans.
Lee returned to his editorial duties following the war in 1945. In response to DC Comics' Justice League, Lee and artist Jack Kirby launched the Fantastic Four in November 1961 for the newly rebranded Marvel Comics.
The superhero team's immediate popularity led Lee and Kirby to co-create Marvel staples Spider-Man, the Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, the X-Men and Black Panther. The pair also had their newly created characters team up as the Avengers, while also reviving Sub-Mariner and Captain America.
Lee stopped writing monthly comics to become publisher of Marvel in 1972, moving to California nearly a decade later to help develop the comic publisher's properties for film and television. In his later years, Lee remained a public figurehead for the company, making cameo appearances in Marvel film adaptations and at comic conventions.
Lee published autobiography Excelsior! The Amazing Life of Stan Lee in 2002. He is survived by his daughter, J.C. Lee. Lee's wife of 69 years, Joan Boocock, died in July 2017.
Find reaction to Lee's passing from fans and industry counterparts below.
Stan...more than a master of stories, you always seemed like a master of living. I will look to you for inspiration for the rest of my life. You live on. xoxo Your Wasp
— Evangeline Lilly (@EvangelineLilly) November 12, 2018
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#liveon #StanLee pic.twitter.com/JRA2aRM3bG
There will never be another Stan Lee. For decades he provided both young and old with adventure, escape, comfort, confidence, inspiration, strength, friendship and joy. He exuded love and kindness and will leave an indelible mark on so, so, so many lives. Excelsior!!
— Chris Evans (@ChrisEvans) November 12, 2018
What can I say about the loss of a visionary who created one of my favorite characters I've ever played? Stan Lee's fun-loving wit, charm, and poetic legacy will keep him alive for generations to come. My heart hurts, and he will be sorely missed.#StanLee #RIP @TheRealStanLee pic.twitter.com/EPST2GkNTu
— Doug Jones (@actordougjones) November 12, 2018
Damn... RIP Stan. Thanks for everything. pic.twitter.com/TMAaDJSOhh
— Ryan Reynolds (@VancityReynolds) November 12, 2018
Thank you Stan Lee for making people who feel different realize they are special.
— Seth Rogen (@Sethrogen) November 12, 2018
Born before Edwin Hubble discovered the expanding universe, he ultimately created an expanding universe of his own - one of scientifically literate superheroes such as Spider-Man , The Hulk, Iron Man, & Black Panther.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) November 12, 2018
Stan Lee RIP: 1922 - 2018
If you haven't seen it, this is Stan Lee addressing racism in a 1968 edition of Stan's Soapbox, after the assassinations of JFK and MLK.
— Andray (@andraydomise) November 12, 2018
What an utter shame this advice holds up, word for word, 50 years later. pic.twitter.com/2zRg83QImt
This is sad R.I.P. STAN LEE a few years ago we got a chance to hang out with the legend he was a cool guy 🙏🏿you will be missed prayers up to the family friends & fans pic.twitter.com/VnWwXeP6lh
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) November 12, 2018
My favorite Stan Lee moment has to be the time he watched Todd McFarlane and Rob Liefeld design a character while dunking on them the whole time https://t.co/pHXug65P44 pic.twitter.com/NQqOzeFlWG
— Tristan Cooper (@TristanACooper) November 12, 2018
Thank u Stan Lee for everything.
— TRAVIS SCOTT (@trvisXX) November 12, 2018
RIP @TheRealStanLee He made everyone feel like a kid in his presence no matter what your age. pic.twitter.com/JYeWXq8iKb
— Jim Lee (@JimLee) November 12, 2018
We've lost a creative genius. Stan Lee was a pioneering force in the superhero universe. I'm proud to have been a small part of his legacy and .... to have helped bring one of his characters to life. #StanLee #Wolverine pic.twitter.com/iOdefi7iYz
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) November 12, 2018
In loving memory of Stan Lee. It was an honor to have him on The #BigBangTheory. Thank you for being a real life super hero to so many generations. Your legend will live on. pic.twitter.com/OHWdbHQPYC
— The Big Bang Theory (@bigbangtheory) November 12, 2018