John Witherspoon Comedian Actor Died at 77; Here's 7 Movies We'll Never Forget He Played In
The World Came to a Halt Tuesday Learning the Demise of John Witherspoon at Age 77.
Portrait of John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon, an entertainer comic who for quite a long time made spectators snicker in TV shows and movies, including the Friday highlight establishment and the WB's The Wayans Bros. , passed on all of a sudden at his home today. He was 77, and here’s 7 UNFORGETTABLE TV Productions John Witherspoon Played in including Friday, Next Friday, Friday After Next, Soul Plane, House Party, The Boondocks, & The Wayans Bros.
“It is with deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today at his home in Sherman Oaks at the age of 77,” Witherspoon's family said in an announcement to Deadline. “He is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons JD, Alexander, and a large family. We are all in shock, please give us a minute for a moment in privacy and we will celebrate his life and his work together. John used to say ‘I’m no big deal’, but he was huge deal to us.”
Parody incredible Witherspoon was conceived in Detroit in 1942 as John Weatherspoon. He propelled a phenomenal parody profession and started acting in the late 1970s with visitor featuring TV jobs, making his component debut in the 1980 The Jazz Singer. Witherspoon showed up in various movies, including Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, Vampire in Brooklyn, The Ladies Man and Fakin' Da Funk.
Witherspoon was maybe best referred to for his job as Ice Cube's grouchy father in the 1995 breakout hit Friday. He likewise showed up in the spin-offs Next Friday and Friday After Next, and was required to repeat his job in the long-gestating last portion of the establishment titled Last Friday.
Witherspoon additionally voiced Gramps on the faction energized arrangement The Boondocks. He likely would've returned for the arrangement's up and coming recovery on HBO Max. Likewise referred to for his job as Pops on The Wayans Bros., Witherspoon did spells on such satire arrangement as The Tracy Morgan Show, The First Family and Black Jesus. He likewise was a regular visitor on Late Show with David Letterman.
Indeed, even with his bustling film and TV profession, standup satire stayed a significant piece of Witherspoon's life. At age 77, he kept on performing routinely and had a few dates coming up at the hour of his demise.
Here are some industry reactions to the untimely demise of John Witherspoon:
01. Craig Robinson"I love you brother. Thank you. Rest In Peace."
02. Roy Wood Jr."A career can only span decades if you do it for the love & you evolve. John Witherspoon STAYED connected to the community."
03. Chuck D "RIP funny man..."
04. Kerry Washington "Oh my goodness. What a devastating loss. My love and prayers to the Witherspoon family. I love John so dearly and will truly cherish our hilarious time together on 'Little Man'."
05. Ice Cube " I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him."
06. Mike Epps: "Aww man this is a heart breaker...I was so honored to have work with you thank you for all the advice and laughs and great movies that you gave us..."
07. Marlon Wayans"I'm sad. Broken. Hurt.. yet extremely grateful to God that I got to spend 5 years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving man..."
08. Winston Duke " An artist with his own style and timing ....your community will miss you so much sir!"
09. Lil Rel Howery " A comedy legend... RIP John and my your legacy continue... Praying for John Witherspoon and the rest of your family man..."
10. David Alan Grier “This hurts. Such kind, and gentle soul. You will be missed RIP...You have been released..."
11. Lakeith Stanfield " See you when i get there pops!"
12. QuestLove " John Witherspoon resonated with every last one of us because he represented someone in our family..."
13. Robin Thede " I don’t understand how comedy is supposed to work now without John Witherspoon."
More related articles to read from this panel!
Also check out our current magazine ‘The Aftermath’ Issue & other publications we’ve released below.