LONDON — The actor who played Stephen Hawking in a film about the scientist's life has described him as the funniest man he ever met.
Eddie Redmayne, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of Hawking in "The Theory of Everything," paid tribute to Hawking on Wednesday.
Redmayne says: "We have lost a truly beautiful mind, an astonishing scientist and the funniest man I have ever had the pleasure to meet."
The British actor played the mathematical genius across decades of physical degeneration — all under Hawking's watchful gaze.
Redmayne said that at the time of the film, Hawking wanted to live life to the full — and that he always had a glint in his eye.
Hawking died on the same day (March 14) Redmayne's new "Fantastic Beasts" sequel trailer came out. — Reports from Associated Press