Family, friends, fans share sorrow over death of actor John Witherspoon
When six of the top 10 trending topics on Twitter are about John Witherspoon, it’s not a stretch to say the actor and comedian was beloved.
Witherspoon, best known for playing Ice Cube’s father in the “Friday” movies, died late Tuesday in Los Angeles. He was 77.
» John Witherspoon, 'Friday' actor-comedian, dead at age 77
Family, friends and entertainers took to social media to express their sadness and shock.
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.
— John Witherspoon (@John_POPS_Spoon) October 30, 2019
- The Witherspoon Family pic.twitter.com/ov9P34kaMn
So...my Dad died today & honestly I’m not sure how to feel. I’m sad, but I’m also happy 4 all the great times we had together. We’d roast each other like homies more than Father & Son, and I really liked that. He was my best friend & my idol.
— J.D. (@jdwitherspoon) October 30, 2019
Love U Dad...I’ll miss u.
- J.D. pic.twitter.com/zvzep5S11I
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
My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King pic.twitter.com/U6GsNrrKXF
— Regina King (@ReginaKing) 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
Grateful for the laughs, popular sayings, and your contributions to the culture.
— Alex Holley (@AlexHolleyFOX29) October 30, 2019
John Witherspoon will forever be EVERYBODY’S “Pops”.
May he Rest In Peace. #RIP pic.twitter.com/h5ljuCKUsA
I don’t understand how comedy is supposed to work now without John Witherspoon 💔
— Robin Thede (@robinthede) October 30, 2019
Very sad to report .. Thank you John for hiring me when I needed it the most!! Make God Laugh John Witherspoon Dies: Comedian & ‘Friday’ Star Was 77 – Deadline https://t.co/B0bHzjg5NN
— Loni Love (@LoniLove) October 30, 2019
John Witherspoon, a dear friend of Cookie and I, passed away yesterday. John was a great comedian, actor, and had the biggest heart. Our prayers go out to his wife Angela, sons, and the entire Witherspoon family. Thank you for making us laugh all of these years. RIP my friend.🙏🏾
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) October 30, 2019
Witherspoon’s death also affected his fans, who shared favorite scenes and sayings of the actor.
For a funny man John Witherspoon sure knew how to drop pearls of wisdom! RIP John Witherspoon! pic.twitter.com/pYJzRJq6fy
— Fred Blankenship (@FBlankenshipWSB) October 30, 2019
"You win some, you lose some, but you live. You live to fight another day." In between the laughs from his comedic excellence in various roles, John Witherspoon taught a generation of black boys and black men some valuable lessons. RIP Pops. RIP Grandad. RIP King. pic.twitter.com/1MVAjrA9TL
— Redefining Black Masculinity (@blkmascsouls) October 30, 2019
RIP POPS #JohnWitherspoon 🙌🏾One of the greatest man this my favorite clip from him 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/c7StYTQdcU
— Harold Givens (Thegiven1) 🙇🏾♂️💰 (@HaroldGivens6) October 30, 2019
John Witherspoon was everyone’s Pops! Put some hot sauce on that burrito in Heaven!😢 RIP Pops 🙏🏿❤️ pic.twitter.com/AB0oybGXZ8
— James Andre Jefferson Jr. (@JamesJeffersonJ) October 30, 2019
One of the hardest parts about getting older is losing the icons you grew up watching. John Witherspoon knew how to make black people laugh, BANG BANG BANG! RIP Pops 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/fiOxPQOShe
— Joshua Chenault (@joshuachenault1) October 30, 2019
This hurts to see. John Witherspoon was such a personality full of soul and passion and you could tell he had love for everybody. Nobody will be able to replace him. I hope there's an afterlife and that god has accepted you in his kingdom.#RIPPOPS #RIPJohnWhitherspoon pic.twitter.com/ysiF7hnOpV
— Ultimate Mitsuru Kirijo Stan (@redhairbesthair) October 30, 2019
About the Author
Nancy Clanton is a lead producer for The AJC's platforms team, but also writes stories about health, travel, events and entertainment. A native of Knoxville and graduate of the University of Tennessee, she has worked at the AJC for 24 years.
