The Boondocks and Friday actor John Witherspoon, dies age 77

Actor and comedian John Witherspoon, known for his roles in Friday and House Party among others, died on Tuesday. He was 77.

“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away,” his family announced on Twitter. “He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you “POPS” always & forever.”

It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you “POPS” always & forever.

- The Witherspoon Family pic.twitter.com/ov9P34kaMn

— John Witherspoon (@John_POPS_Spoon) October 30, 2019

Witherspoon was a beloved comedy actor and played the role of Ice Cube's father in all three movies in the Friday trilogy. He also regularly collaborated with the Eddie Murphy (Boomerang, Dr. Doolittle 2) and the Wayans brothers.

Later in his career Witherspoon voiced Robert “Granddad” Freeman in the popular Cartoon Network series, The Boondocks. The animated series ran for over nine seasons and was recently revived for two new seasons by HBO Max.

Tributes to Witherspoon have poured in on social media since news of his death broke on Tuesday.

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

View this post on Instagram

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 @johnnywitherspoon you were my tv dad and my mentor and my friend. I miss you already. Something don’t feel right. This is heavy on my heart. Anyone that knows me knows how much i love pops. You have a strong wife and great kids. What an amazing family. Your boys damn near grew up on the #WayansBros set they’ll always be like my little brothers and sons. i will pass on all the jewels that you bestowed on to us. Thank you God for the many many many laughs that we shared on and off the set. You got “all the keys 🔑 “ and i know you got one to heaven’s gate. Anytime i want to laugh or to see you I’m gonna put on a episode of wayans bros and laugh until i cry. I miss already.... hope your dancing in heaven with ugly white shoes on. “Pops pops sugar pops”. #ripjohnwitherspoon #mysecondpops

A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) on Oct 29, 2019 at 11:39pm PDT

God bless John Witherspoon. The definition of an icon. Wow. pic.twitter.com/2wUBXglzSW

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) October 30, 2019

It’s where I first remembered The Great John Witherspoon on the screen in @Robert_Townsend Hollywood Shuffle R I P funny man pic.twitter.com/1RcTSCu1Gt

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) October 30, 2019

Rip John Witherspoon 🤦🏾‍♂️, One of the many iconic African American actors. From the Friday movies and soul plane to the Wayne’s bro’s and many more in between.. Rip big dawg 🙏🏾

— . (@JuiceWorlddd) October 30, 2019

Getting to the age where all the greats are leaving 😔 John Witherspoon was and will forever be an icon of our culture. This can’t be real 😢 #RIPJohnWhitherspoon pic.twitter.com/02Q0rGpaF5

— xoNecole (@xonecole) October 30, 2019

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