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| An icon of Black comedy passed away. John Witherspoon died in Los Angeles. |
He is best known for the Friday trilogy, The Wayans Brothers, The Boondocks, Hollywood Shuffle and the voice of Warner Bros. mascot Michigan J. Frog.
He was a LEGEND.
"It it 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 (Los Angeles) at the age of 77," said the family in a statement to Deadline. "He is survived by his wife Angela, 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 a huge deal to us."
He was born in Detroit as John Weatherspoon. He launched his comedy career in the 1970s and began acting around the 1980s. He was seen in movies like Boomerang, Vampire in Brooklyn, The Ladies Man, Hollywood Shuffle and Fakin' Da Funk.
He was remembered as the grumpy father of Ice Cube in the Friday series. He was featured in Friday, Next Friday and Friday After Next, and was expected to reprise his role in Last Friday.
He was also known as Robert Jebediah Freeman (known as Grandad) on the Adult Swim series The Boondocks. He was also known as Pops in the WB series The Wayans Bros.
He also did stints on The Tracey Morgan Show, The First Family and Black Jesus.
He was still active at time. He was on a comedy tour before his death. The family hasn't confirm the cause of death.
A true voice of being a Black father, a strong Black man and a great entertainer.
I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him. pic.twitter.com/gtmiZiEppP— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 30, 2019
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 johnwitherspoon you were my tv dad and my mentor and… https://t.co/OymyEkrFSk— marlon wayans (@MarlonWayans) October 30, 2019
In tears this morning. You were always so nice to me and taught me a lot about boating, love you and will miss you. Rest well King.❤️❤️ #JohnWitherspoon pic.twitter.com/7m4y17JdIk— Rickey Smiley (@RickeySmiley) October 30, 2019
The Father has called home yet another soldier! RIP my brother! What a good man!! He made the world a funner place in which to be! #JohnWitherspoon pic.twitter.com/00X9KIWxNq— KeithDavid (@ImKeithDavid) October 30, 2019
— Charles V Payne (@cvpayne) October 30, 2019
Keep the laughs coming. John Witherspoon, you're were the man!!!
BANG, BANG, BANG!
THANK YOU KINDLY!
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