Legendary Comedian John Witherspoon of "Friday" Fame Passes Away At 77

BY Erika Marie 10.4K Views
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John Witherspoon
The acclaimed comedian's career was still booming.

It's with a heavy heart that we report John Witherspoon, an entertainer with a career that has spanned decades, passed away on Tuesday. Reports of his death began to circulate on social media before they were thwarted by a few who stated that it wasn't the actor but a newscaster of the same name. However, an official announcement was made by Witherspoon's family on Twitter as they confirmed the sad report with the public.

"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." The Detroit star is known for a variety of characters he's played throughout the years including his roles in Friday, House Party, Hollywood Shuffle, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, I Got the Hook-Up, I Got the Hook-Up 2, The Meteor Man, Bulworth, The Richard Pryor Show, 227, Good Times, The Tracy Morgan Show, The Boondocks, and The Wayans Bros. 

Friends and fans of the actor sent their condolences to Witherspoon's loved ones while sharing their appreciation of the comedian on social media. Check out a few mentions below, along with a few highlights of his career.


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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