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Legendary Actor John ‘Pops’ Witherspoon Dies At 77
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Legendary Actor John ‘Pops’ Witherspoon Dies At 77

October 30, 2019

www.essence.com

BY PAULA ROGO

 

Beloved actor, John “Pops” Witherspoon, has died.

The comedian, who made magic in films like the Friday franchise, and Boomerang, passed away on Tuesday night in Los Angeles at the age of 77, his manager Alex Goodman confirmed. The cause of death of the Detroit native is not yet known.

The Witherspoon family also released a statement via Twitter on Wednesday morning, confirming his death

“It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away,” the family wrote. “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

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

View image on Twitter

Witherspoon’s career spanned decades, working frequently with producers, including Ice Cube, the Wayans family, and Eddie Murphy. His film credits include Boomerang, Vampire in Brooklyn, all the three Friday films, Dr. Doolittle 2 and Little Man, among others. He also made his stamp on the small screen with credits in shows like The Wayan Bros., and voicing the iconic Robert “Granddad” Freeman in The Boondocks.

Friends, admirers, and collaborators alike all turned to social media to share their sadness upon learning about his death.

“Ohh my goodness. What a devastating loss,” actress Kerry Washington wrote on Twitter. “My love and prayers to the Witherspoon family. I love John so dearly and will truly cherish our hilarious time together on Little Man.”

See Also
Greta Lee, All-Black Towns, Black Towns, Oklahoma Black Towns, Historic Black Towns, Gary Lee, M. David Goodwin, James Goodwin, Ross Johnson, Sam Levrault, Kimberly Marsh, John Neal, African American News, Black News, African American Newspaper, Black Owned Newspaper, The Oklahoma Eagle, The Eagle, Black Wall Street, Tulsa Race Massacre, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre
Greta Ann Lee, a beloved educator and mentor for generations of youth from Tulsa to Japan and many locales in between, passed on Oct. 14, 2024. She was 66.

“I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon,” tweeted Ice Cube, who worked with Witherspoon on his Friday movies. “Life won’t be as funny without him.”

Ice Cube

✔@icecube

I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him.

View image on Twitter

Witherspoon is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons JD and Alexander.

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