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Alec Baldwin, Debra Messing Lead Celebrity Tributes for Former New York Governor Mario Cuomo

Celebrities pay tribute to the late Mario Cuomo
Celebrities pay tribute to the late Mario Cuomo

The sad news of Mario Cuomo's death on Thursday, Jan. 1 sparked an outpouring of emotion on social media as celebrities and politicians took to Twitter to remember the late New York governor.

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Alec Baldwin was one of the first to acknowledge the news of Cuomo’s passing with a thoughtful nod to the former governor's family. In a sad turn of events, Mario's son, Andrew Cuomo, had honored his father in a touching speech as he was sworn in to begin his own second term as New York governor,  just a few hours before the much-admired politician passed away.

President Barack Obama released a statement expressing his and wife Michelle's sadness at the news. "Michelle and I were saddened to learn of the passing of former New York Governor Mario Cuomo," the President said. "An Italian Catholic kid from Queens, born to immigrant parents, Mario paired his faith in God and faith in America to live a life of public service — and we are all better for it. He rose to be chief executive of the state he loved, a determined champion of progressive values and an unflinching voice for tolerance, inclusiveness, fairness, dignity and opportunity," he added.

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Other celebrities who were quick to pay tribute to the politician who many had hoped would run for President in the ‘80s and ‘90s, included Russell Simmons, Debra Messing, Katie Couric, and Larry King.

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"RIP MARIO CUOMO… My prayers are with the Cuomo Family," Messing shared via Twitter, while hip-hop pioneer Simmons added, "RIP Governor Mario Cuomo. One of the greatest progressives this country has ever known. He will be greatly missed…"

Here's a selection of celebrity tribututes:

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