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Rabu, 30 Oktober 2019

John Witherspoon, comedian and actor in 'Friday' films, dies at 77 - Fox News

Actor and comedian John Witherspoon, who is best known for his role as Ice Cube’s father in the “Friday” films, has died at age 77, his family said in a statement Tuesday.

His manager Alex Goodman told The Associated Press that Witherspoon died in his Los Angeles home late Tuesday. No cause of death was released. The family said in a statement to Deadline that Witherspoon, who was born Jan. 27, 1942, is survived by his wife, Angela, and sons JD and Alexander and a large extended family.

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“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 huge deal to us,” the statement said. The family also announced Witherspoon's death in a tweet from his official Twitter account early Wednesday.

“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,” they said.

Witherspoon began his career appearing in 1970s TV shows, such as "Barnaby Jones" and "The Richard Pryor Show," NPR reported. He also performed on "The Wayans Bros." television series and voiced the grandfather in "The Boondocks" animated series.

His most recognizable role was "Pops," Ice Cube's father in the stoner comedy "Friday" and its two sequels. He played a crude but affectionate father trying to guide his son to be better. Witherspoon’s film roles also included "Vampire in Brooklyn" and "Boomerang," and he was a frequent guest on "Late Show with David Letterman."

“I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him,” Ice Cube said on Twitter late Tuesday.

Regina King, who appeared as Witherspoon's daughter in "Friday" and also voiced both of his grandsons in "The Boondocks," called him her "comedic inspiration" on Twitter.

“My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King,” she wrote early Wednesday.

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JD Witherspoon, the actor’s son, tweeted that he was happy for all the great times he and his dad 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," JD Witherspoon posted. "Love U Dad...I'll miss u."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/john-witherspoon-dies-77-actor-comedian-ice-cube

2019-10-30 09:51:46Z
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John Witherspoon, comedian and actor who starred in 'Friday,' has died at 77 - CNN

"It is with 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.

Witherspoon is survived by his wife, two sons and "a large family," the statement said.

"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 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."

He was, arguably, best known for playing Ice Cube's dad in the "Friday," film series. The 1995 comedy and its sequels, "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next," chronicle the trials of a man as he tries to make it through the day.

"I'm devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon," Ice Cube wrote on Twitter. "Life won't be as funny without him."

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."

"My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration," actress Regina King wrote on Twitter Tuesday night. "I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King."

The two worked together on "Friday" and the animated show "The Boondocks," which aired from 2005 through 2014 and offered a satirical take on African American culture and politics.

Witherspoon voiced "granddad," one of the foul-mouthed Freemans in the show.

He had recently hinted on the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast that he might return to the role after Sony Pictures Animation announced plans to bring the series back.

Actress Marsha Warfield also paid tribute to the comic.

"I'm so sorry to hear this," she said. "To me, Spoon was a friend, a brother, a funny, talented comedian and a good man."

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https://www.cnn.com/2019/10/30/entertainment/john-witherspoon-dies/index.html

2019-10-30 09:09:17Z
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