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Michelle Pfeiffer 'heartbroken' as rapper Coolio dies at 59

Watch: Gangsta's Paradise rapper Coolio dead at 59

Michelle Pfeiffer has said she is "heartbroken" following the death of rapper Coolio.

The music star - who recorded the song Gangsta’s Paradise for Pfeiffer's 1995 movie Dangerous Minds - died on Wednesday at the age of 59.

According to TMZ, the star, whose real name was Artis Leon Ivey Jr, was found unresponsive on the bathroom floor at a friend’s house in Los Angeles.

Read more: Coolio cooked up a storm on the air and screen as he took hip hop to the world

After hearing the news, Pfeiffer shared a picture of her and Coolio on Instagram as she said he was "nothing but gracious".

"Heartbroken to hear of the passing of the gifted artist @coolio," she wrote.

"A life cut entirely too short."

Coolio live on stage during I Love The 90’s show at Arena Birmingham in Birmingham, UK. Picture date: Saturday 07 October, 2017. Photo credit: Katja Ogrin/ EMPICS Entertainment.
Coolio has died at the age of 59. (Katja Ogrin/ EMPICS Entertainment)

She went on: "As some of you may know I was lucky enough to work with him on Dangerous Minds in 1995. He won a Grammy for his brilliant song on the soundtrack - which I think was the reason our film saw so much success.

"I remember him being nothing but gracious. 30 years later I still get chills when I hear the song. Sending love and light to his family.

"Rest in Power, Artis Leon Ivey Jr."

Shameless star Tina Malone also paid her respects.

The actor was on Celebrity Big Brother with Coolio in 2009, and the pair rowed during their time on the show.

"RIP COOLIO!" she tweeted.

"YOU DROVE ME NUTS,YOU MADE ME LAUGH!

"GLAD WE GOT TO MAKE UP! God bless xx."

Ulrika Jonsson, who was also on the reality show with them, told PA that his death was a "shock".

"I spent a fair bit of time with Coolio – he was a misogynist, broke wind a lot; he fancied himself as a cook but my God, we had so many laughs,” she said.

Coolio Is Evicted From The Big Brother House During The Final Of Celebrity Big Brother 2009 At Elstree Studios. (Photo by Justin Goff\UK Press via Getty Images)
Coolio was on Celebrity Big Brother. (Justin Goff\UK Press via Getty Images)

Snoop Dogg shared a picture of the pair on Instagram, writing: "Gangstas paradise. R. I. P."

MC Hammer said that the Coolio was "one of the nicest dudes I’ve known".

"Good people," he tweeted, alongside a photo of the late musician.

Chart star Ice Cube said it was "sad news".

"I witness first hand this man’s grind to the top of the industry," he tweeted.

"Rest In Peace @Coolio."

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - SEPTEMBER 18: Coolio performs on stage during Riot Fest 2022 at Douglass Park on September 18, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
Coolio was found dead in LA. (Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)

Sabrina The Teenage Witch star Melissa Joan Hart shared a snap of a time she and Coolio worked together.

"I had the amazing honor to work and play with @Coolio a few times and he was always down for a chat, a complete gentleman and a ton of fun to hang with," she said.

Read more: Snoop Dogg opens up on his final moments with Tupac

"What a loss! Rest In Peace!"

Additional reporting from PA.