Actor & Comedian John Witherspoon Dead at 77

John Witherspoon, the actor and comedian best known for his roles in the “Friday” movies and TV shows like The Wayans Bros. and The Boondocks, has died. He was 77 years old.

His family released the following statement confirming the sad news:

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.

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 pic.twitter.com/ov9P34kaMn

— John Witherspoon (@John_POPS_Spoon) October 30, 2019

Witherspoon’s family added in a statement to Deadline:

“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.

“He is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons JD, Alexander, and a large family. 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.”

A cause of death has not been revealed.

John Witherspoon is survived by his wife of 21 years, Angela Robinson-Witherspoon, as well as their two children, Alexander Witherspoon and John David Witherspoon.