Leonardo DiCaprio pays tribute to his fellow environmentalist, his friend and colleague Jane Goodall, who passed away Wednesday.
Goodall, 91, was in Los Angeles to speak at UCLA.
“Today, we have lost the true heroes of the planet. We are millions of inspiration and dear friends,” the actor and activist wrote on Instagram.
“Jane Goodall dedicated her life to protecting our planet and giving her voice to the wildlife and the ecosystems they live in,” he continued. “Her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees in Tanzania has changed our understanding of how our closest relatives live, socialize and think about.
“For decades, Jane traveled the world with tireless energy, awakening generations to the wonders of nature. She spoke directly to the next generation and instilled hope, responsibility and belief that every individual can make a difference.
“My final message to Jane was simple: “You are my hero.” Now we all have to carry a torch for her to protect our shared home. ”
He asked readers to respect her legacy by supporting the Jane Goodall Institute and other conservation groups she cared about.
Last year, it was announced that DiCaprio’s Appian Way production company will be delivering a feature about Goodall’s life for Disney. It will be marked for the first time that an actress has portrayed her in a film. Eleanor Catton writes the screenplay for a film still in development.
