'John Wick' stars honour late co-star Lance Reddick
Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were among the "John Wick: Chapter 4" stars honouring Lance Reddick, their co-star who died unexpectedly last week, at the film's Los Angeles premiere.
"We lost our brother, and in a really sort of very shocking way. I think we're all still in shock. Life is," the visibly shaken Fishburne said, pausing briefly before continuing, "hard sometimes."
Many of those who worked on the film wore blue ribbons to honor Reddick, who was a prolific character actor with prominent roles in "The Wire," "Oz" and the "John Wick" film franchise.
"Just to be in his light and to get a chance to work with him, I'll cherish for the rest of my life," Reeves said. "He had such a passion for his work and his craft. He was gracious. He had a dignity to him and a presence."
Reddick, 60, died Friday in Los Angeles of natural causes, his publicist Mia Hansen said. No further details were provided.
Tributes have poured in for the actor, whose roles made him a beloved and recognizable star of television and films. He played Charon, the multi-skilled Continental Hotel concierge who is fond of Wick, an assassin played by Reeves. The latest installment arrives in theatres Friday.
"He's the goodness of this film. He was kind of, in many ways, the heart of the film because his character loved John Wick," Fishburne said.
"You know, it's always hard when you lose someone that you love dearly ... but you're also incredibly grateful for the time you had together. We were fortunate enough to work with Lance since the very beginning of the `John Wick' franchise. I mean it's been almost 10 years," director Chad Stahelski said. "I really wish he could be with us tonight, but, you know, life. But we're very fortunate to have known him. And he's a great man, a great artist, a great human, a dear friend."
Shamier Anderson, a newcomer to "Wick" franchise, recalled how Reddick took time to say a kind word on set.
"I grew up watching Lance Reddick. It is a bittersweet moment because he was definitely one of my heroes growing up as an actor, as a Black actor," Anderson said. "And even though we didn't share screen time together in this film, we shared some time off camera and he was salt of the Earth when he first met me.
"He said, ‘Shamier, you're incredible. I love your work man,' and like, it melted me like a puddle."
Correction
This story has been updated to correctly identify actor Shamier Anderson.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING | 4 children found unresponsive on Quebec shoreline confirmed dead: police
Four children were found unresponsive on a shoreline in Portneuf-sur-Mer, Que. on Saturday after they were swept away by the tide in a fishing incident. One man is still missing, while six other people were rescued.

Antipsychotic drugs use increased in Canadian long-term care homes, pointing to possible quality-of-care issues: study
New study finds increase in antipsychotic drugs use in long-term care homes across Canada, despite no significant increase in behavioural symptoms – something that may expose a potential area of concern for quality of care, researchers say.
More than 5,000 new species discovered at future deep-sea mining site in Pacific Ocean
More than 5,000 new species have been discovered at an expansive future deep-sea mining site in the Pacific Ocean.
Pope warns of risk of corruption in missionary fundraising after AP investigation
Pope Francis warned the Vatican's missionary fundraisers on Saturday not to allow financial corruption to creep into their work, insisting that spirituality and spreading the Gospel must drive their operations, not mere entrepreneurship.
Feds open to cutting plastic production but global agreement will be hard: Guilbeault
Canada is open to the idea of including a requirement to cut back on the production of plastic in a new global treaty to eliminate plastic pollution, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said Friday.
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.
Special rapporteur David Johnston’s office hired crisis communications firm Navigator
Special rapporteur David Johnston has hired crisis communications firm Navigator, his office confirmed on Friday.
Air Canada should face more consequences after two disruptions in a week, consumer advocate says
An airline consumer advocate says Air Canada should face tougher consequences for stranding passengers after two disruptions in a week.