Over the weekend, friends of beloved comedian Garry Shandling gathered at his home for “one last game of basketball” after the 66-year-old died suddenly of a heart attack last week. Judd Apatow shared a picture of the group on Instagram:
Kathy Griffin, Jeffrey Tambor, and Bill Maher also showed up at the star-studded tribute game, one of many Shandling hosted at his Los Angeles home. In fact, he was known for a near-ritualistic tradition of holding weekly showdowns. “Every Sunday he’s in Los Angeles, Shandling calls the game for noon,” Los Angeles editor-at-large Amy Wallace wrote in a 2010 profile for GQ. “The invitation-only crowd gathers in his kitchen to drink coffee, and at 12:30, everyone heads out the patio doors, past the pool and down a series of steps into the lower yard. As is the custom, the first person to reach the half-court grabs a leaf blower and sweeps it clean. Then they play: three-on-three to seven points, win by two.” Celebs like Sarah Silverman, Kevin Nealon, David Duchovny, and Friday Night Lights creator Peter Berg were often staples, with frequent appearances by Sacha Baron Cohen, Adam Sandler, Ben Stiller, Billy Crystal, and more. Despite the touching Instagram picture, Apatow rarely played: “Sarah’s better than me, and it’s shameful for me, as a man, to accept that,” he told Wallace.
Apatow’s is one in a sea of tributes shared on social since Shandling’s passing.
Sunday, my longtime friend Garry Shandling was here, making every1 laugh. I loved him. I’ll miss our talks the most. pic.twitter.com/Ud8AQXNBXN
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) March 24, 2016
So sad and shocked. Garry Shandling taught me so much and possessed sincere generosity of spirit. I will miss him dearly.
— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) March 25, 2016
Saddened over Garry Shandling. He was a comedy idol of mine. He leaves behind the greatest single-camera comedy of all time. #LarrySanders
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) March 24, 2016
To the funniest and brilliant Garry Shandling. Rest in peace Garry.
— bob saget (@bobsaget) March 24, 2016
Garry Shandling was one of my comedic heroes. His support of my writing was a huge boost. I will always be grateful for it. Shocked and sad
— Rob Lowe (@RobLowe) March 24, 2016
