On Sunday, the movie world lost a true legend when Bill Paxton passed away aged just 61. While most sci-fi fans will remember Paxton for his roles in the likes of Aliens and Edge of Tomorrow, he was actually a prolific actor who graced films spanning multiple genres. One of his more memorable moments came as the star of the 1996 natural disaster thriller, Twister.
Starring alongside Helen Hunt, Paxton played Twister‘s storm chaser, Bill Harding, a role that endeared him to the passionate, real-life storm chasing communities around the world. Following the news of Paxton’s death, dozens of storm chasers hopped in their vehicles to coordinate a huge tribute to their big-screen idol. Coordinating through social media, the group used their GPS trackers to emblazon Bill Paxton’s initials across the mid-west.
Storm chaser tribute to Bill Paxton. #RIPBill pic.twitter.com/kxRtGv5f9A
— Jeff Frame (@VORTEXJeff) February 26, 2017
FYI: This GPS beacon tribute was coordinated through @spotternetwork led by @DanielShawAU pic.twitter.com/VN5npFPr6n
— SevereStudios (@severestudios) February 26, 2017
The end result was pretty staggering….
Its even better! Look at all of the chasers spelling BP for Bill Paxton. Wakita, OK is circled in blue, right in the middle. #RIPBillPaxton pic.twitter.com/CJLnndrgWh
— Aaron Brackett (@Aaron_Brackett) February 26, 2017
Of course, storm chasers weren’t the only ones paying tribute to Paxton. Fans and co-stars flooded the Twitter with their own tributes…
Bill Paxton could play any role, but he was best at being Bill – a great human being with a huge heart. My thoughts are with his family.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) February 26, 2017
Some of my favorite memories are of floating around in a tiny vessel with big hearted,hilarious,brilliant Bill Paxton. Sad day.
— Kevin Bacon (@kevinbacon) February 26, 2017
But our favorite by far was this nod to the fact that Paxton was one of two people to have been killed on-screen by an Alien, a Predator, and a Terminator.
@pattonoswalt Here you go pic.twitter.com/TW2rVS7vVT
— Jim’ll Paint It (@Jimllpaintit) February 28, 2017
