John Witherspoon Actor And Comedian Dies Aged 77 In Los Angeles

John Witherspoon Actor And Comedian Dies Aged 77 In Los Angeles Mr. Witherspoon was a comedian best known for his roles in the “Friday” franchise, “The Tracy Morgan Show” and other films and TV shows.

The actor had a prolific career, co-starring in three Friday films, appearing on The Wayans Bros television series and voicing the grandfather in The Boondocks animated series. His film roles included Vampire in Brooklyn and Boomerang, and he was a frequent guest on Late Show with David Letterman.

Regina King, who portrayed Ice Cube's sister in "Friday," and Witherspoon's grandchildren in the animated "The Boondocks" series, wished for her former co-star to "Rest In Paradise, King."

“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,” said Witherspoon’s family in a statement to Deadline.

John was born in Detroit in 1942 as John Weatherspoon, before he embarked on a stand-up comedy career.

Witherspoon made his television debut in the late 1970s. His first roles were on shows such as The Richard Pryor Show and Barnaby Jones, in which he played a counselor at a camp for kids with drug problems. He starred alongside Sean Penn in the Milk actor’s first credited role.

He would later go on to star in the sequel Next Friday in 2000 and the sequel Friday After Next in 2002. The only actor to star in the franchise apart from Ice Cube.

He went on to star in two sequels, Next Friday and Friday After Next, and was set to appear in the fourth and final installment. However, it appears that he died before the film wrapped. As of writing, his cause of death is unknown.

Rest in Power, Pops. You’ll always have a place in our hearts.