It may be a cliché to describe someone as an inspiration, but there is no title more befitting for the late Stephen Hawking.

The British theoretical physicist died early Wednesday morning aged 76, after a lifetime awing scientists and the public alike with his brilliance, wit, and his encouragement to investigate the universe around us.

A prolific scientist and author, Hawking leaves the world with his pioneering work on black holes and relativity, as well as quintessential science books like his bestseller, A Brief History of Time. 

Hawking also inspired people with a disability. At 21, he was diagnosed with ALS, where doctors gave him two years to live. Hawking lived on for another 55 years, where he frequently made appearances in popular culture, from The Simpsons to The Big Bang Theory and Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Fellow physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said Hawking’s death “left an intellectual vacuum.”

Astronauts Scott Kelly and Chris Hadfield also saluted Hawking.

As did Google’s CEO, Sundar Pichai.

Tributes extended from the world of pop culture, with posts from the likes of pop star Katy Perry, Simpsons writer/producer Al Jean and comedian Kumail Nanjiani. Nyle DiMarco, the first deaf winner of America’s Next Top Model, said Hawking’s life was a testament to disability not being inability.