Samuel L. Jackson, Jamie Foxx Join Ice Cube, Marlon Wayans In Tributes To John Witherspoon – Update

Nellie Andreeva and Greg Evans

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Refresh for updates Tributes to John Witherspoon continued throughout the night after news broke that the actor and comedian had passed. “RIP my brother,” tweeted David Alan Grier. “You will be missed.” Chance the Rapper called him “the definition of an icon.”

“The world is a little less funny today,” wrote Samuel L. Jackson.

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Witherspoon died suddenly at the age of 77, prompting an outpouring of grief, love and memories on social media.

“I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon,” wrote Ice Cube above a photo with Witherspoon. “Life won’t be as funny without him.”

Witherspoon was probably best known for his role as Ice Cube’s grumpy dad Willie Jones in Ice Cube’s hit Friday comedy feature franchise.

“My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise,” wrote Regina King, who co-starred with Witherspoon on the animated series The Boondocks. She played siblings Huey and Riley on the show, while Witherspoon voiced their grandfather and legal guardian.

“I’m sad. Broken. Hurt.. yet extremely grateful to God that i got to spend 5 years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving man @johnnywitherspoon,” Marlon Wayans wrote. “You were my tv dad and my mentor and my friend. I miss you already.”

Wayans co-created and starred with his brother Shawn in the comedy series Wayans Bros., on which Witherspoon played their dad Pops.

Below is a sampling of the tributes. Check back for updates.

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I love you brother. Thank you. Rest In Peace.

A post shared by @ mrcraigrobinson on Oct 30, 2019 at 2:12am PDT

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Aww man this is a heart breaker I remember the first day on the set of next Friday and you told me calm down and let the jokes come natural I was so honored to have work with you thank you for all the advice and laughs and great movies that you gave us Jhon we love you man rest easy see you in comedy heaven 🌹❤️🙏🏿 you be truly missed

A post shared by Mike Epps (@eppsie) on Oct 29, 2019 at 10:48pm PDT

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No matter when they go it’s always too soon… RIP to a real legend… You will be missed but never forgotten… @johnnywitherspoon all the love in the world to your legacy and to your family… Got real tears in my eyes on this one… But watching this clip makes me LOL 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾

A post shared by Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) on Oct 30, 2019 at 12:05am PDT

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Having known John throughout the years I can truly say the world has lost a true comedy legend and all around genuine soul, who paved the way for so many of us to be able to do what we love. My deepest condolences to John’s family. I know he’s already up there makin everyone laugh 🙏🏾 #rip #comedy #legend

A post shared by Martin Lawrence (@martinlawrence) on Oct 30, 2019 at 6:38am PDT

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Awe man!! This is a hurt piece !! So sorry to hear the news we lost my dear friend and funny comedic legend. @johnnywitherspoon was an original!!! A considerate, hardworking, treasure of a human being. God bless your loving family 🙏🏾. You will be missed sir. #bangbang!Bang! #Cooooordinate🤣. #ripspoon

A post shared by Cedric The Entertainer (@cedtheentertainer) on Oct 29, 2019 at 11:52pm PDT

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John Witherspoon resonated with every last one of us because he represented someone in our family: embarrassing us at gatherings (Boomerang), misrepresenting our generations heroes (“Public Enema”?!), making a jingle about pretty much everything (Grandpa on Boondocks), the neighborhood wino (black Jesus—-or better yet Hollywood Shuffle)—-the list is endless. Bar none my favorite working/blue collar actor. Prolly THE most famous iconic character actor (I mean he didn’t star in vehicles but he was no doubt THE go to support) the best knew to get the best. When interviewing @davidalangrier on @QLS him describing what should have been a routine 15 min scene at the family table in Boomerang wound up being a non stop hour and a half us master class riffing amongst masters, with Witherspoon leading the way. History should tell it well, all the greats utilized him on their project for the last 45 years (Richard Pryor Show/Whats Happening!/Good Times/WKRP/227/Martin/Amen/Fresh Prince/Wayans Bros/Living Single/Boondocks/First Family/blackish/Black Jesus)—-he will forever be our pop pops. RIP

A post shared by Questlove Froman, (@questlove) on Oct 30, 2019 at 6:04am PDT

 

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I’m sad. Broken. Hurt.. yet extremely grateful to God that i got to spend 5 years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving man @johnnywitherspoon you were my tv dad and my mentor and my friend. I miss you already. Something don’t feel right. This is heavy on my heart. Anyone that knows me knows how much i love pops. You have a strong wife and great kids. What an amazing family. Your boys damn near grew up on the #WayansBros set they’ll always be like my little brothers and sons. i will pass on all the jewels that you bestowed on to us. Thank you God for the many many many laughs that we shared on and off the set. You got “all the keys 🔑 “ and i know you got one to heaven’s gate. Anytime i want to laugh or to see you I’m gonna put on a episode of wayans bros and laugh until i cry. I miss already…. hope your dancing in heaven with ugly white shoes on. “Pops pops sugar pops”. #ripjohnwitherspoon #mysecondpops

A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) on Oct 29, 2019 at 11:39pm PDT

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