Noted civil rights leader Julian Bond died on Saturday, Aug. 15, at the age of 75, his family confirms to The Hollywood Reporter. One of the founding members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee in the 1960s, Bond passed away in his Fort Walton Beach, Fla. vacation home after suffering a brief illness.
He played a major role in the Civil Rights Movement, and was even portrayed in the 2014 Oscar-nominated film Selma. Bond also hosted Saturday Night Live in its second season, appearing in several skits including one called "Black Perspective," narrated several documentaries including 1987's Eye on the Prize, and appeared in Richard Pryor's film Greased Lighting.
After Bond was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives in 1965, the House voted not to seat him due to his opposition of the Vietnam War. But he sued and the Supreme Court ruled in 1966 that he had to be seated in a case that made him famous. He also served in the Georgia Senate for 12 years.
Bond was chairman of the NAACP from 1998 to 2010. He is survived by his wife, Pamela Horowitz, his brother and sister, James and Jane Bond, and his five children from his first wife, Alicia Bond — Phyllis, Horace, Michael, Jeffrey, and Julia.
After news of his death broke, several stars reached out to extend their condolences on social media.
I will miss Julian Bond: A Great Man, and my Black Friend: http://t.co/8NPPYYsdpL
— Stephen Colbert (@StephenAtHome) August 16, 2015
So sad…… The family is in my prayers http://t.co/XAyKqVOKKG
— Raven-Symonè (@ravensymone) August 16, 2015
I am deeply saddened by the passing of Julian Bond. A lifelong champion for civil rights and the under privileged, (1/2)
— Al Gore (@algore) August 16, 2015
he served as an inspiration to us all and we are each better because of his courageous work and commitment to justice. (2/2)
— Al Gore (@algore) August 16, 2015
Just got the wind knocked out of me. We have lost a true hero. A beautiful warrior for justice. A hero. #JulianBond ????????
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) August 16, 2015
I first met #JulianBond when he acted as himself in the redemptive final scenes of Ray. Was humbled by his grace & his fight. Still am. RIP
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) August 16, 2015
