The tragic news has just come in that John Witherspoon passed away at his family home yesterday on the 29th of October.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the actor’s death and the Painfully Ordinary life that he has led…
Actor and comedian John Witherspoon, whose hilarious takes on father-figure characters made for iconic scenes in a number of movies and television shows including “Friday,” died at his home Tuesday, the family told.
“It is with the 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,” his family said in a statement.
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.”
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Witherspoon kicked off his career as a stand-up comedian and made his television debut in the 1970s, appearing in shows including the detective series “Barnaby Jones.”
— His career spanned almost 50 years, with his most notable role being Willie Jones, father of Ice Cube’s character, Craig … in all of the “Friday” movies.
Witherspoon also played dad, John “Pops” Williams, to the title characters on the sitcom “The Wayans Bros.” and he was “Spoon” on NBC’s “The Tracy Morgan Show.” The actor also had roles in the movies “Boomerang” and “Vampire in Brooklyn,” both of which starred Eddie Murphy.
“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 men,” Marlon Wayans wrote on Instagram, as a tribute to his TV dad. “Thank you, God, for the many many many laughs that we shared on and off the set.”
John he also did voice work as Gramps on the animated series “The Boondocks,” which is being revived for HBO.
Witherspoon is survived by his wife, Angela, and sons JD and Alexander.
R.I.P
