Hip-Hop Mourns the Death of Actor and Comedian John Witherspoon
The hip-hop world is grieving the sudden death of actor John Witherspoon.
In the early hours of Wednesday morning (Oct. 30), Witherspoon's family confirmed that the legendary comic and actor had passed away at his home. He was 77.
"It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away," the Witherspoon family said in a statement posted to the late actor's Twitter account. "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."
Witherspoon was revered as a father figure to many of the talented artists and actors he's worked with as well as his fans. The actor was known for a plethora of comical roles in films like the Friday, Hollywood Shuffle and TV shows like The Richard Pryor Show, Good Times and Boomerang.
He starred in The Wayans Bros as John "Pops" Williams, became a staple in the Friday movie franchise alongside Ice Cube, played portrayed Huey and Riley's Granddad on The Boondocks and in 2014, he starred in Adult Swim's Black Jesus. After the news of his death spread, rappers like Ice Cube, Chance The Rapper, Juice Wrld and more paid homage to "Pops."
"I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon," Ice Cube tweeted. "Life won’t be as funny without him."
Check out more reactions to John Witherspoon's untimely passing below.
Ice Cube
Chance The Rapper
DJ Sam Sneak
Master P
Angel Haze
Juice Wrld
SiR
Chuck D
Guapdad 4000
Freddie Gibbs
Lil Reese
Questlove
Cozz
Big Sean
Big Boi
Marlon Wayans