Lily Tomlin Honors Dabney Colman After His Death with ‘9 to 5’ Scene

Lily Tomlin is paying tribute to her late costar Dabney Coleman.

The actress, 84, honored Coleman following his death with a poignant post on social media on Friday, May 17.

“We just loved him,” Tomlin wrote on X (formerly Twitter) of Coleman, who died on May 16.

Alongside her fond words, Tomlin shared a photo of herself and Coleman in the 1980 classic 9 to 5, in which she was dressed as Disney’s Snow White in character as Violet Newstead beside a startled-looking Coleman sitting in a chair as her hateful boss, Franklin Hart Jr.

Coleman starred alongside Tomlin, Jane Fonda and Dolly Parton in 9 to 5. He worked a second time with Tomlin over a decade later in the 1993 film The Beverly Hillbillies.

The late actor previously told Vulture of his experience working on 9 to 5, “The girls were so supportive of me, and included me in everything.”

“They were on a whole different level than I was at the time, but they were very sensitive about that, and made sure that I was included in every publicity shot and tour,” Coleman further explained.

He was pictured reuniting with Tomlin, Parton, 78, and Fonda, 86, back in September 2008 as the group attended the opening night of Parton’s 9 to 5 play, inspired by the film, at the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles.

Following news of his death, Coleman’s ex-partner, Morgan Fairchild, also paid tribute to the actor with a post on Instagram.

“So very sorry to hear of the death of the wonderful #DabneyColeman,” the actress wrote. “We went out for a bit in the ‘80s and I adored him. This town has lost one of a kind! He put his own indelible stamp on every part & was also a helluva nice guy! My condolences to his family. We lost a great one. #RIPDabneyColeman.”

Beside her message, Fairchild, 74, posted a black-and-white photo of her with Coleman in the 1980s.

Coleman died at the age of 92 at his home in Santa Monica, California, on Thursday, May 16.

The actor’s death was confirmed in a statement to PEOPLE from his daughter, Quincy Coleman.

“My father crafted his time here on Earth with a curious mind, a generous heart and a soul on fire with passion, desire and humor that tickled the funny bone of humanity,” she said. “… A teacher, a hero and a king, Dabney Coleman is a gift and blessing in life and in death as his spirit will shine through his work, his loved ones and his legacy eternally.”

Coleman is survived by his sister, Beverly Coleman McCall; his four children and numerous grandchildren.