Condolences: John Witherspoon Dies – ‘Friday’ & ‘Black Jesus’ Star Was 77

Condolences: John Witherspoon Dies – ‘Friday’ & ‘Black Jesus’ Star Was 77

Very sad news. John Witherspoon died suddenly at his home Tuesday (Oct. 29th). He was 77. His family shared the news on social media writing:

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

John Witherspoon was an American actor and comedian who performed in dozens of television shows and films. Best known for his role as Willie Jones for the Friday series, Witherspoon also starred in films such as Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Boomerang (1992) and Vampire In Brooklyn (1995). He has also made appearances on television shows such as The Wayans Bros. (1995–99), The Tracy Morgan Show (2003), Barnaby Jones (1973), The Boondocks (2005–present), The Five Heartbeats (1991) and Black Jesus (2014). He wrote a film, From the Old School, in which he played an elderly working man who tries to prevent a neighborhood convenience store from being developed into a strip club.

See some reactions to his passing below.

Authored by: Gregory Molette