Following Jane Goodall‘s death at 91, Leonardo DiCaprio is paying tribute to his friend and continuing her legacy.
The Oscar winner called Goodall “a true hero for the planet, an inspiration to millions, and a dear friend” after they served together as United Nations Messengers of Peace since his designation in 2014 and recently executive produced the movie Howl together.
“Jane Goodall devoted her life to protecting our planet and giving a voice to the wild animals and the ecosystems they inhabit,” he wrote on Instagram. “Her groundbreaking research on Chimpanzees in Tanzania transformed our understanding of how our closest relatives live, socialize, and think—reminding us that we are deeply connected not only to Chimpanzees and the other great apes, but to all life.”
DiCaprio continued, “For decades, Jane traveled the world with tireless energy, awakening generations to the wonder of the natural world. She spoke directly to the next generation, instilling hope, responsibility, and the belief that every individual can make a difference. She inspired millions to care, to act, and to hope. She never stopped. My deepest condolences to her family.”
Inviting his followers to “join me in honoring her legacy” by supporting the Jane Goodall Institute and other conservation groups, DiCaprio concluded,”My last message to Jane was simple: ‘You are my hero.’ Now, we all must carry the torch for her in protecting our one shared home.”
TThe Jane Goodall Institute announced that the primatologist died of natural causes while on a speaking tour in California.
Goodall was 26 in 1960 when she traveled from her native England to what is now Tanzania and ventured into the little-known world of wild chimpanzees. It was the start of more than 60 years of groundbreaking work in a male-dominated field. She emphasized the need to protect chimps from extinction while redefining species conservation to include the needs of local people and the environment.
Most recently, Goodall teamed with DiCaprio on Howl, a live-action film about a dog and wolf’s survival journey told from the animals’ perspective.
The post Leonardo DiCaprio Pays Tribute To “Dear Friend” Jane Goodall, Reveals His Last Words To Her: “We All Must Carry The Torch” appeared first on Deadline.
