"Hugo was a "social champion" " - Danny Glover

He joined director Oliver Stone, Sean Penn and Michael Moore in hailing Chavez, who died Tuesday aged 58, issuing a statement "in sadness and in tribute to my friend.

"I join with millions... of freedom-loving people around the world, in hope for a rewarding future for the democratic and social development charter of the Bolivarian Revolution," he said, referring to liberation icon Simon Bolivar.

"We all embraced Hugo Chavez as a social champion of democracy, material development, and spiritual well-being," added Glover, star of the "Lethal Weapon" movies and a long-time supporter of Chavez and liberal causes.

On Tuesday, "JFK" and "Natural Born Killers" director Stone said: "I mourn a great hero to the majority of his people and those who struggle throughout the world for a place."

Activist actor Penn said the world's poor had lost a "champion" and America "a friend it never knew it had," adding: "Venezuela and its revolution will endure under the proven leadership of Vice President (Nicolas) Maduro."

Oscar-winning director Moore meanwhile tweeted: "Hugo Chavez declared the oil belonged 2 the ppl. He used the oil $ 2 eliminate 75 percent of extreme poverty, provide free health & education 4 all.

"That made him dangerous. US approved of a coup to overthrow him even though he was a democratically-elected President."