Anne Heche has been declared legally dead, and the news has many of her contemporaries in Hollywood in mourning. On Aug. 5, Heche had been involved in a fiery automobile accident that left her in critical condition. A week later, it was announced that she is brain dead, though Heche remains on life support to preserve her organs for possible donations.

Among those mourning the loss is Ellen DeGeneres, who was previously in a relationship with Heche that lasted from 1997 to 2000. Taking to Twitter, DeGeneres noted, “This is a sad day. I’m sending Anne’s children, family and friends all my love.”

Heche was later in a relationship with actor James Tupper, with whom she had a son in 2009. Though they split in 2018, they remained friendly, and Tupper posted a tribute post after her passing. On Instagram, he included a photo of Heche and wrote, “love you forever.”

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Many other Hollywood performers have joined them in mourning. Actor Ed Helms of The Office wrote a tweet that reads, “Anne Heche news today is so heartbreaking. A truly epic, vibrant spirit and a profound talent. Sending tremendous love and support to her family.”

“Honest to God, I think maybe the best acting performance I’ve ever seen in my life was Anne Heche in PROOF on Broadway,” says filmmaker James Gunn.

“I’m very upset and sad that Anne Heche is not expected to live. And yes she would have been arrested for driving under the influence and putting lives in danger .she still is a great artist and struggled with addiction it’s terribly sad for her children and for her friends.

Emmy Winner Anne Heche Remembered

     NBC

“The Daytime Emmys sends love and light to the family and loved ones of Daytime Emmy winner Anne Heche,” reads a tribute post from the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Her performance as Victoria/Marley on Another World touched the world and lives on in our memories. Our sincerest sympathies.”

Dancing with the Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba also commented on the news, as Heche had performed on the show in 2020. Inaba addressed Heche’s inclusion on the series in a lengthy tribute post on Instagram.

“Anne was one of the stars on Dancing with the Stars that truly touched my heart,” the message reads in part. “Her personal story was one that reached into my heart and squeezed it. I could feel the pain she felt, and I could also feel her resilient and courageous soul. And it was touching.”

She added, “I had no idea all that she had gone through in this lifetime and I felt a connection to her and the struggles she faced in life. Despite her trials and tribulations, she had a bright light when she came out on that stage to dance. Every time she performed, there was a sense of complete joy and a celebration of life. It was pure. And it was special.”

Rest in peace, Anne Heche. You can see some more tribute posts for Heche below.