Ben Affleck, Tom Bergeron, and Boston mayor Thomas Menino were among many celebrities with ties to Boston who reacted with sadness and disbelief after Tuesday’s marathon bombing that killed three and wounded 150.
As details continued to unfold, stars who call Boston their hometown took to social media to call the incident “senseless,” “devastating,” and “upsetting.” Other celebrities searched for hope amid the tragedy: Maria Menounos asserted that, “there’s more good than evil out there,” and Dane Cook told fellow Bostonians, “You will become stronger from this.” Read on for more reactions from famous Bostonians.
Thomas Menino
“This is a bad day for Boston but I think that if we pull together we’ll get through it,” the Boston mayor said during a press conference. “We’re a strong city. A lot of people willing to work together to make this a better place for all the people and so as we gather here today with all our officials, let’s say Boston will overcome.
William Cowan
“Monitoring the scene back home,” tweeted the Massachusetts senator. “My thoughts and prayers are with the injured and everyone at @bostonmarathon, in Boston and in Mass.”
Deval Patrick
“This is a horrific day in Boston. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have been injured,” said the Massachusetts governor in a statement not long after the attacks. “I have been in touch with the President, Mayor Menino and our public safety leaders. Our focus is on making sure that the area around Copley Square is safe and secured.”
Ben Affleck
The actor, who was raised in Cambridge, Massachusetts and set his movies The Town and Gone Baby Gone in Boston, tweeted:”Such a senseless and tragic day. My family and I send our love to our beloved and resilient Boston.”
Mark Wahlberg
“Thoughts and prayers with my hometown Boston today,” tweeted the star, who was born and raised in the city. At a screening of his new movie, Pain Gain, in New York City last night, Wahlberg was even more emotional. “It’s just so upsetting,” Wahlberg told People at the event. “Obviously I’ve got a huge family and so many family and friends back in Boston. I don’t know what exactly happened, and I don’t know if everyone’s okay. I’m just trying to be here and put on a brave face and just be a professional.” He continued: “The world obviously needs to change,” he said. “If you think about all the events over the last couple years, if we can’t protect our innocent women and children, then we have a serious problem.”
Mindy Kaling
“My heart aches for my hometown,” tweeted the Mindy Project star, who was born in Cambridge. “My love and support to the many worthy Boston area hospitals who are helping the wounded, St. E’s, Mass General, Beth Israel and many more.”
Tom Bergeron
The Dancing With the Stars host began last night’s broadcast with a tribute to his hometown. “Our thoughts are with everyone in Boston tonight. I have family members and many friends there. My heart is with you,” he said. Earlier, he had also tweeted, “Watching coverage of Boston Marathon explosions, heart in my throat … In contact with family members in Boston near Marathon site. All OK. Thoughts are with everyone touched by this nightmare.”
Conan O’Brien
The late night host began last night’s show saying what an “upsetting and sad day it has been.” The comedian, who was born in Brookline, Massachusetts, and attended Harvard University. “I wanted to take a moment to say that — like everybody here — my thoughts and prayers are with the people of Boston and everybody who has been affected by this absolutely senseless act,” he said. “That said — it is our job to do a show. We’re going to try and entertain you the very best we can — which, given our track record, gives you people a 20 percent chance of having a good time tonight.”
John Krasinki
The Office actor, who was born in Boston suburb Newton, tweeted: ”My heart and my prayers are in Boston and with everyone affected by this nightmare of an incident.”
Chris Evans
“Thoughts and prayers are with everybody in boston. heartbreaking…” tweeted the Captain America actor, who grew up near the city in Sudbury, Massachusetts.
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen
The New England Patriots quarterback tweeted: ”Praying for my city of Boston. Senseless killings need to stop. #PrayForBoston.” His wife, Gisele Bundchen, also weighed in: “My love and prayers to everyone in Boston,” she tweeted, in English as well as in Portuguese, along with a photo of a candle and a flower.
Maria Menounos
The Bostonian Extra correspondent tweeted: “keep getting overwhelmed w/tears. the photos are devastating. god bless those affected our first responders. love u boston my heart is w/u all.” Later, she sent out another string of messages: “Flying home because I need to be there … That’s what I’m proud of tonight. in desperate times we see true humanity… there’s more good than evil out there. Proud to be a bostonian…proud to be an American.”
Dane Cook
“My prayers with everyone in Boston right now after this atrocious act of violence!!” wrote the comedian. “When I was grieving my parents death I needed humor to alleviate my sadness. My comedian friends provided that for me as we will for Boston,” he added. “Goodnight Boston. The world is watching. You will become stronger from this. I’m proud to have started…” he wrote, along with a photo of the city skyline.