The former talk-show host’s letter arrived just seconds before it was revealed Friday morning that Heche had been pronounced legally dead, while her heart was still pumping in order to be harvested for donation.
It’s a terrible day, DeGeneres, 64, who dated Heche from 1997 to 2000, said. She is extending her love to Anne’s children, family, and friends.
DeGeneres and Heche were serious enough that they proclaimed in 1999 that if Vermont allowed same-sex marriage in a high-profile lawsuit before the state’s top court, they would marry.
Heche’s ex-husband, James Tupper, with whom she had battled a long and bitter custody dispute for their son Atlas, 13, put their views aside and simply wrote, ‘love you forever,’ with a broken heart emoji.
Beverly Hills Real Housewives Kyle Richards said, she is really sorry Thinking of her and both her babies.
Heche is survived by two sons: Atlas, born with Tupper, and Homer, born with her ex-husband Coleman Laffoon.
‘Since I moved to Hollywood, I met so many lovely individuals who adored Anne from far back,’ Selma Blair said in an Instagram homage to Blair. And I’ll keep doing it. I was constantly told how much I’d adore her, and she remained a shining beacon.’
‘She definitely is one of the great performers of our time, and this tragedy is awful,’ Blair added. She was incredible. And possibly confusing, but she seemed to struggle like hell to do what was best for everyone she cared about. May her memories bring you joy. Everyone who knew and loved @anneheche sends their love and support. Solace for her sons. Love.’
Gina Schock of The Go-Gos tweeted after Heche was certified deceased on Friday, ‘Not sure what’s going on in the world but 53 years young we bid goodbye to @anneheche.’ In this trying moment, may she, her family, friends, and fans find peace.’
According to police sources, early blood tests taken while Heche was in the hospital revealed cocaine in her bloodstream.
The tests also revealed fentanyl, but because hospitals use it for pain management, it is unknown if it was in her system at the time of the accident.
Heche collided with a garage first, then drove away from the site before crashing into Lynne Mishele’s two-story home, causing significant enough wounds that police started a criminal investigation.
It took 59 firemen more than an hour to put out the fire, and another half hour to extricate Heche from the exploding automobile.
A little bottle of vodka was seen in Heche’s car, but early blood tests after she was hospitalized revealed no alcohol in her system.
She was hospitalized and spent days in a coma before being certified braindead, while she is still on life support for organ donation considerations.
Thomas Jane, whom she had been seeing since 2019, acknowledged that they had broken up following the collision.
To deal with the psychological ramifications of her tragic upbringing, during which she was sexually tortured by her secretly gay dad, who died of AIDS, the actress turned to drugs and alcohol.
Ed Helms, her co-star in the 2011 film Cedar Rapids, shared his anguish on Twitter when her team said she was unlikely to live.
The news about Anne Heche today is sad. He described her as a genuinely epic, vivid soul and a tremendous skill. He is sending his love and support to her family.
She is really disturbed and heartbroken that Anne Heche is not expected to survive, Rosanna Arquette tweeted Thursday night.
And, certainly, she would have been jailed for driving under the influence and endangering others’ lives.
She is still a superb artist and suffered with addiction; it is heartbreaking for her children and friends.
After the actress was announced dead on Friday, condolences came in on social media, including from Rosanna, who simply wrote, ‘Rest In Peace now Anne.’
‘Honest to God, he think the finest acting performance he’ve ever seen in his life was Anne Heche in PROOF on Broadway,’ said Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn on Twitter.
Stephen Kunken, Heche’s Proof co-star, had tweeted the night before, ‘Some years ago he was Anne Heche’s eccentric suitor in PROOF on Broadway. She was as eccentric and amazing as she could have imagined.
He described her as “an enormous talent he adored playing alongside and, more significantly, a very nice person and buddy. The news is simply depressing.
‘RIP Anne Heche,’ tweeted Isiah Whitlock Jr., who performed with Heche in Cedar Rapids . One of the most generous and skilled performers he’ve ever worked with. God’s blessings on her. She will be sorely missed.’
Carrie Ann Inaba, who was a judge on Dancing With The Stars when Anne participated in 2020, also shared her experiences.
‘Rest In Peace, @ Anne Heche May your spirit find rest. They shall miss your gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, and free-spirited energy, she said on Twitter. She ‘ll never forget your performance on @officialdwts in that [rainbow] outfit, dancing her heart out. Thank you for being who she was.
He is at a loss as he writes this, commented Ariel Winter’s ex Levi Meaden, who portrayed Anne’s son on the Aftermath series. Lord knows she had her troubles in life, but it was those challenges that prompted her to handle herself the way she did, which led her to be the lady he encountered.
She offered him so much guidance, he said. She taught him how to conduct himself in this business. She is a symbol. She has tremendous talent. She was many things, but most significantly, she was loved.
He is devastated, and understands many, many other people are, Meaden concluded. He has been reading about so many similar events to his, and the effect is a tribute to who she is. Anne seems to understand a lot about what it is to be human and the terrible fortitude it takes to completely appreciate that.
Anne, he said, “understood there was power in vulnerability, and she wouldn’t allow anyone take it away from her. He hope she is happy. His heart goes out to everyone who loved her, but particularly to her family. He’ll miss Anne, and appreciate everything she has done for him.
Her heart goes out to Anne Heche’s kids, family, friends, and to all who mourn, commented Priyanka Chopra, who co-starred with Heche on Quantico. It was an honour to know her and work beside her. She was a nice person as well as a fantastic performer. She will have a particular place in her heart forever. Anne, rest in power.
