Legendary comedian and actor John Witherspoon died at age 77, the Witherspoon family announced via tweet on Wednesday (October 30).
“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband and father John Witherspoon has passed away,” said the tweet, which was sent from Witherspooon’s official 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 and forever.” Witherspoon’s Twitter bio now notes that his eldest son, comedian and actor J.D Witherspoon, will take over his father’s account and keep it active in his memory.
Fans and friends have flooded social media with expressions of sadness and praise for his long career in film and television. Witherspoon created many iconic characters, including Granddad on “The Boondocks,” Mr. Jones in “Friday” and Lloyd on “Black Jesus.”
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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.
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rnttLove U Dad…I’ll miss u.
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rntt- J.D. pic.twitter.com/zvzep5S11Irnt— J.D. (@jdwitherspoon) October 30, 2019
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I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him. pic.twitter.com/gtmiZiEppP
rnt— Ice Cube (@icecube) October 30, 2019
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? This day began with such joy.
rnttAnd it’s ending with this heart wrenching news of John Witherspoon’s passing. One of our comic brothers. ? RIP pic.twitter.com/efSqqw6BHJrnt— Arsenio Hall (@ArsenioHall) October 30, 2019
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Do the Pops ! ?? RIH pic.twitter.com/KrjcadnEpr
rnt— Dezii Uchiha ? (@ayethtsDezii) October 30, 2019
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Yo, this really really hurt me. Mr. Witherspoon provided me and so many others countless laughs. Rest In Power, Pops? pic.twitter.com/lIBKUGlZjx
rnt— Sir Stygian the High-man being (@StygianHaven) October 30, 2019
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My condolences to John Witherspoon's Family & all those he called friend
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rntt"Pops" made us cry laughing while imparting real life wisdom that made us think deeper, that's a real one!
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rnttTomorrow,I will "cooordinate" just as *Mr. Jackson* taught me to-so many years ago???
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rnttRIP Pops pic.twitter.com/CKJ5JkIttwrnt— What's the Procedure When You're Being Robbed (@BellaElla562) October 30, 2019
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rntHonor Witherspoon’s legacy with a laugh today via these clips of him at work.
Witherspoon in his element, on stage:
Witherspoon discusses the films he had the most fun working on:
Witherspoon gives his audience some important instructions: