Firefly Creator Joss Whedon And Cast React to Death of Ron Glass

Earlier today, it was reported that veteran actor Ron Glass died of respiratory failure on Friday. He was 71-years-old.

Glass began his professional acting career with appearances in popular television series like Sanford and Son, All in the Family, Hawaii Five-O, and The Bob Newhart Show, but he'll be best remembered for playing Detective Ron Harris in Barney Miller and, more recently, Shepard Derrial Book — the spiritual advisor with a mysterious past — in Firefly (2002) and its 2005 follow-up movie, Serenity.

Since the news broke, Firefly creator, Joss Whedon, and members of the show's cast — Aland Tudyk, Adam Baldwin, Jewel Staite, and Nathan Fillion — have paid tribute to Glass via their social media sites.

Ron Glass was one of the greatest actors to work with. His laugh was beyond infectious and his generosity was ever present. #ripronglass

— alan tudyk (@AlanTudyk) November 26, 2016

Ron Glass was also a sassy smart ass and I prize that very much. A leaf on the wind. #ripronglass

— alan tudyk (@AlanTudyk) November 26, 2016

Happy rebirth, dear Ron Glass.

Among the kindest and gentlest souls to have walked this earth with us.https://t.co/rF1bDPxeRa

— Adam Baldwin (@AdamBaldwin) November 26, 2016

He got there with grace, humor & enormous heart. He was, among so many other things, my Shepherd. Raise, appropriately, a glass. Rest, Ron. pic.twitter.com/yzPly7TmgE

— Joss Whedon (@joss) November 26, 2016

"Shepard, don't move." "Won't go far." We love you, Ron Glass. Don't go far.

A photo posted by Nathan Fillion (@natefillion) on Nov 26, 2016 at 2:09pm PST

This is me acting like an idiot just so I could hear Ron Glass laugh. He was the kind of person that remembered the details, that asked about your family's well-being. He hugged hard and often. He would laugh till he cried at a sick joke and top it with a worse one. He loved a Grey Goose crantini and spilled one on my white jeans in the heat of telling a story, and then just said, "Girl, those were ugly pants anyway." I adored him. Everybody did. I love you, Ron. Can't wait to see you again. "I don't care what you believe. Just believe it."

A photo posted by Jewel Staite (@jewelstaite) on Nov 26, 2016 at 2:29pm PST

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Glass's family and friends.