Witherspoon was one of many fellow Hollywood stars–including Oprah, Robin Roberts, and many more–to pay tribute to the late journalist following the news of her death. The Morning Show actress to Twitter early Saturday morning, writing, “What a legend and a trailblazer! Barbara Walters always exuded intelligence and grace in every encounter.” Witherspoon continued: “Her curiosity and kindness came through in every interview. Every time I was interviewed by her, I felt her genuine warmth. Sending so much love to her family and fans.” During her iconic career, which began in 1976 when she first joined ABC News, she amassed 12 Emmy awards–with 11 of those recognizing her time at the national news network. To fans, Walters was also known as the “queen of celebrity interviews” due to her near-endless catalog of conversations with some of the biggest names and most controversial figures in pop culture that aired on her “Barbara Walters Specials” via ABC. Her roster included the likes of Katharine Hepburn, Monica Lewinsky and even Fidel Castro, Cuba’s former president. According to ABC News, Walters interviewed every president and first lady to serve from the Nixon era until the Obamas took office. Upon her retirement in 2015, she said: “I do not want to appear on another program or climb another mountain.I want instead to sit on a sunny field and admire the very gifted women—and OK, some men too—who will be taking my place.”
