Samuel L. Jackson, Jordan Peele, Regina King, Tyrese, more stars pay respects to John Singleton

Tyler Aquilina
Updated

Perhaps Moonlight and If Beale Street Could Talk director Barry Jenkins summed it up best: “Cruel. Not what I want to say right now. But certainly how I feel. Cruel. Just… so cruel.”

Jenkins is one of many celebrities mourning director John Singleton on social media following the filmmaker’s death at age 51 on Monday. Such stars as Chance the Rapper, Janelle Monáe, and Samuel L. Jackson paid their respects alongside many of Singleton’s fellow filmmakers, including Ava DuVernay, Edgar Wright, and Jordan Peele.

Morris Chestnut, who had his breakout role in Singleton’s Oscar-nominated debut Boyz N the Hood, posted a heartfelt tribute to Singleton on Instagram. “John Singleton gave me a chance,” Chestnut wrote, adding, “The magnitude and world-wide impact that his ground-breaking film would have for society cannot be measured.”

View this post on Instagram

This is where it all started. The Genesis - The Genius - The Genre Maker/Star Maker (Taraji P. Henson, Ice Cube, Tyrese Gibson, Lawrence Fishburne, Regina King,Nia Long, Angela Basset, Cuba Gooding, Jr. - in no particular order as these are all great actors/actresses). John Singleton gave me a chance. When I left the audition for "Boyz N' The Hood" as he shook my hand, he gave me a stronger grip than normal and looked me in the eye. I felt he was basically giving me a signal that I had the job without telling me. From there, there was no comprehension of the massive chain of events that was about to follow. People from all over the world literally tell me how they’re affected by Boyz ‘N The Hood. The magnitude and world-wide impact that his ground-breaking film would have for society cannot be measured. Helping to bring awareness of what it takes to come to maturity as a black male in the 'Hood, or die trying... Helping to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced. Dealing with challenges and adversity in life and in general. From that lesson, for anyone who watches Boyz N’ The Hood, we are able to learn a little more about ourselves and each other. Hopefully, we are able to grow, evolve and gain a deeper love and understanding of our humanity. John Singleton, thank you for your vision. Thank you for holding my hand a little stronger. Thank you for connecting with me and thank you for connecting me to history. Thank you for connecting and transcending generations, nationalities, nations, races, communities, societies. Thank you, John Singleton, for connecting us all. #RIP #JohnSingleton

A post shared by Morris Chestnut (@morrischestnutofficial) on Apr 29, 2019 at 12:36pm PDT

Actor and director Forest Whitaker shared his remembrance of Singleton with EW, writing, “We’ve suffered a great loss in the passing of John Singleton. John was a man whose humanity told stories that unveiled truths about our world and our lives. He gifted us with his heart, mind, and spirit. He forever changed the way we look at the world. I hope his family and loved ones can have some peace in knowing he is loved and cherished. May you be held softly and gently in the bosom of god. John Singleton – Rest In Peace.”

Actor Courtney B. Vance recalled working with Singleton on The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, in which Vance played Johnnie Cochran.

“I had the tremendous opportunity to work with John Singleton as a director on The People vs OJ Simpson, which became one of the defining moments in my career,” Vance said in a statement. “One of those episodes directed by John titled ‘The Race Card’ opens with an emotional scene of Johnnie Cochran and his daughters being pulled over by an ill-intended police officer, as well as an epic courtroom scene between Cochran and [Chris] Darden where the two men have the ultimate confrontation. As a black man, father, and actor, those were very challenging scenes for me, but they were also so very important to tell the full story of Mr. Cochran, the man and attorney.  John understood that and worked with us to bring those scenes to life in the way only he could – unapologetically honest and true. John was truly one of a kind and his voice and presence will be deeply missed. But the spirit of his extensive body of work – and the trails he has blazed for generations of filmmakers – will live on. Thank God for that.”

“I met John as a recently graduated first-time writer/director embarking on his nascent film career,” Angela Bassett said in a statement. “I will forever remember him fondly from our first meeting during the audition process. He exuded many things that day…awareness, openness and above all, enthusiasm! Over the years, he never lost or left any of that behind. He provided and possessed a clarity of vision that I appreciate from that day till this. He gave a voice and an opportunity to many. Count me in that grateful number.”

Singleton’s family decided to take him off of life support Monday after the filmmaker suffered a stroke earlier this month. At age 24, Singleton became the first African American ever nominated for the Best Director Oscar with Boyz N the Hood, and remains the youngest-ever nominee in that category. He went on to direct such films as Poetic Justice, Rosewood, and 2 Fast 2 Furious, and co-created the FX series Snowfall.

See more reactions and tributes to Singleton below.

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Rest In Power, my friend. One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you GOD for blessing us with this gift better known as John Singleton. Having trouble finding enough words to share just what you mean to me. Will always love you John! Your spirit will forever shine bright💜

A post shared by Regina King (@iamreginaking) on Apr 29, 2019 at 10:37am PDT

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