Shonda Rhimes remembers TV exec and 'very first champion' Suzanne Patmore Gibbs
Shonda Rhimes took to Twitter and Instagram on Thursday to mourn her longtime friend Suzanne Patmore Gibbs who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 50.
The Grey's Anatomy creator, aged 48, shared her sentiments with her 1.2 million Instagram followers via a message with a purple background and a caption that read 'Tonight's TGIT is dedicated to Suzanne Patmore Gibbs.'
Her main missive stated: 'Suzanne was my very first champion at ABC Studios, the first exec to say 'maybe Shonda could write a TV show.''
Sad day: Shonda Rhimes took to Twitter and Instagram on Thursday to mourn her longtime friend Suzanne Patmore Gibbs who unexpectedly passed away at the age of 50
'Then she fought like hell to get us the chance to make the Grey's Anatomy pilot,' she remembered, before adding 'no way to describe this loss.'
Grey's Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff also shared her condolences via a tweet.
'I’d like to dedicate tonight’s episode of #GreysAnatomy to Suzanne Patmore Gibbs' she wrote 'who fought doggedly to put this series on the air. She was a super talent and funny and wise and deeply supportive friend. I love you, Suzanne.'
Solemn: The Grey's Anatomy creator, aged 48, shared her sentiments with her 1.2 million Instagram followers via a message with a purple background and a caption that read 'Tonight's TGIT is dedicated to Suzanne Patmore Gibbs'
She elaborated more when asked about Suzanne by The Hollywood Reporter.
'[She] was a fierce advocate for all that is right and good in this world,' she gushed 'She fought for women’s voices before it was a popular thing to do. And while male network presidents often receive the credit for her work, Suzanne was the primary creative force behind Grey's Anatomy ever making it to the air.'
According to the outlet, Suzanne succumbed to complications sustained during a hernia surgery.
Specifics: The Hollywood vet is survived by husband Stuart, children Dashiell and Violet, her brother Alan, and her parents, Barry and Carole (pictured with Hulu exec Jordan Helman)
More praise: Grey's Anatomy showrunner Krista Vernoff also shared her condolences via a tweet
The Hollywood vet is survived by husband Stuart, children Dashiell and Violet, her brother Alan, and her parents, Barry and Carole.
A family statement remembered that Suzanne 'was a mentor, a guiding light and a tastemaker for multiple studios … a kind, thoughtful and supportive to everyone she worked with — and in return, she was respected and admired throughout Hollywood.'
'While she was justifiably proud of her many career accomplishments, she felt that her greatest success was her loving family and friends.'
She was the key: Shonda viewed Suzanne as instrumental in getting Grey's Anatomy on the air
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