John Witherspoon, the actor and comedic force who starred in The Wayans Bros., the Friday franchise, Boondocks, and many others, has died. The family confirmed his death 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.” As of now, the cause of death has not been specified. He was 77.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, John Witherspoon (whose original surname was Weatherspoon) was one of 11 siblings—many of whom were creative. He developed a passion for music and learned to play both the trumpet and French horn. He began his stand-up career during the late ‘70s and landed a number of roles in landmark TV shows such as Barnaby Jones, Good Times, What’s Happening!!, and WKRP In Cincinnati. He became a regular in NBC’s The Richard Pryor Show and soon became a go-to guest for a number of popular Black sitcoms like 227 and Amen.
In 1995, Witherspoon landed a leading role in the WB’s sitcom The Wayans Bros.—starring brothers Shawn and Marlon—playing the father who everyone affectionately referred to as “Pops.” He also participated in a number of children’s shows, like The Proud Family and Kim Possible. One of his most notable, dynamic roles would arrive in 2005 when he starred as Robert “Granddad” Freeman, the passionately old school guardian of Huey and Riley Freeman, in the TV adaptation of the famed comic strip, The Boondocks.
Witherspoon also began developing an impressive roster of film credits beginning in 1980 with The Jazz Singer. While his portfolio may include many classics like I’m Gonna Get You Sucka , Meteor Man, and The Five Heartbeats, it was his turn in the Friday franchise that solidified him as a necessary presence within Black comedic art. Regarded as a cultural staple, Witherspoon appeared in a number of music videos for the likes of Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Goodie Mob, and others.
Witherspoon held a special place in the comedy landscape, blending old school sensibilities that felt familiar—familial, even—with an unflappable sense of fun. His sudden absence leaves a vacancy that is impossible to fill, but his comedic spirit lives on through his ubiquitous cultural presence.
46 Comments
Fuck !!! Just fuck !!! So sad right. I’m sad. I’m singing. I’m colored. Give me a high five. Please ?
Pour one out for Granddad.
I use this line way more than anybody needs to hear it.
“Friday” was hilarious, full of funny jokes (none better than “35, 45 minutes”) but what made it great was that it had a heart, and at the center of its heart was John Witherspoon’s performance.
Yup. The sequels had weaker, broader jokes, and were missing Chris Tucker’s manic energy, but the biggest reason they felt lacking for me was they were missing the heart and the more grounded reality of the first one.
Yeah that scene in “Friday” where he convinces Craig that real men don’t need guns and that it would be better to get his ass kicked in a fair(ish) fight than to use a gun on Deebo. That one always gets me. And then it all works out!
“you a man without it”
As a man whose doctor recently recommend a full backiotomy, I quote him to confused bystanders quite regularly.
Unquestionably one of those actors who, when they pass, you remember just how much of a presence they were while you were growing up. Never had the limelight, but always one of the best little bits of anything they were in. RIP.
Sweet Jesus, that man was funny.
He’s knocking on the gates of heaven now:
BANG
BANG
BANG
BANG(loved him in the Friday series and The Boondocks. R.I.P.)
RIP. I know it was a comic strip before this, but I can’t picture Robert Freeman without hearing “Spoon’s” voice.
Yeah, I am really having a hard time imagining the Boondocks reboot with anyone else in that role. I guess there is the slim chance that he might have already recorded some of the voice over, because the show is set to premiere next year and the lead time on animation is often crazy long… (which is how Witherspoon was telling people about the 4th zombie season of the show years before it aired). I really hope all the episodes were already written and recorded, this was one of his greatest roles and I would love to have a whole bunch of his work still waiting to be enjoyed and appreciated in the future.
“Boy, you never tell a white man the truth! Damn, I’m gonna go find me a white man to lie to right now!”
.One of the funniest actors who was the highlight of some of my favorite films growing up.
I’m gonna miss you, sucka.
R.I.P.
A tragic loss. I almost think they shouldn’t go forward with the new Boondocks anymore, because Witherspoon’s voice was such a huge part of it. Still, he was more than Grandad. Rest in power.
Boy you just ate some shit!RIP funnyman:(
I enjoyed John Witherspoon in everything I saw of his work, but for some reason I absolutely LOVED him as Scrap Iron. I mean, the man upstaged Billy Dee Williams.
Fucking ladies man was much funnier than it had any right being
How come every time I’m in the kitchen you in the kitchen?Rest, fella.
In the GOT damn refrigerator. Eating allll the food.
Macaroni.
How about 35-45 minutes of silence for John? *sprays air freshener everywhere*
Aw, damn. Well, if you’re leaving flowers on the grave, you better put some water on that damn shit.
Fucking bravo!
Aww, man! My brother still yells “Everybody wants a hoe cake!” whenever I make them for breakfast. (In my family they’re corn meal mush patties fried in bacon fat. I’m not sure what the proud owner of Winky Dinky Dog had in mind.)
“Hoes gotta eat, too”. I love that movie. “Do 50 bullets in your ass make your day?”
Every time you saw him pop up in a movie or a TV show you always thought, “Oh, this is going to be good.”
This scene!
“I would have stopped at the mushroom belt.” “You got to coordinate!”
“I’m payin’ for five BROTHERS to be on that stage, but PLEASE tell me that ain’t no WHITE MAN!”
Damn. If Charlie Murphy’s passing hadn’t already killed Black Jesus, this would certainly do it.
Miss that show!
It’s currently airing a 3rd season on Adult Swim after a 4 year hiatus. Came back last month. 5 episodes left in the 10 episode season
Adult Swim seems to operate almost on British TV rules. “Eh, make a series whenever. It’s all good.”
I was lucky enough to take my wife to see him at the Improv in Houston some years back. HILARIOUS. Amazingly funny man.
With all due respect to Friday, it was House Party that made him mandatory.Freaking love this guy.
My only lasting experience with him was in The Boondocks, and to be honest, he made that show. Yea, Regina King as the kids was great, but Grandad was the glue and Witherspoon was absolutely perfect for the role. Any enthusiasm I had for the next 2 seasons of Boondocks (since I doubt they’ve gotten to the voice recording phase) has been lessened.
He will be very much missed.
RIP Grandad
He was my favorite part in Black Jesus and Wayans Bros
Saw him in a lobby at a local TV station, waiting to go on to promote his standup act that week.Told him my wife and I loved him in “Boomerang.” He autographed a piece of paper, “BANG BANG BANG BANG BANG.”
Usually “legendary” is reserved for actors people have heard of. It’s sad he’s dead but he’s a “Hey! That guy!” at best.
His appearances on both of David Letterman’s shows were always comedy gold, as he would discuss becoming what he called “A thousandaire!” and later, “A ten thousandaire!” with Dave.
May you have your foot up a dog’s ass all day long in heaven.
He stole all his scenes in the Fridays movies. His best scene was when stuck in LA gridlock he suddenly gets the runs: