Hip hop artists, fellow comedians and actors paid tribute to the tragic passing of John Witherspoon, who died at his home in Sherman Oaks, CA on Tuesday (Oct. 29).
“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,” a statement from Witherspoon’s family and manager Alex Goodman read. “John used to say ‘I’m no big deal,’ but he was a huge deal to us.”
The 77-year-old actor and comedian was remembered by his son, J.D., on Twitter, who wrote, “So…my Dad died today & honestly I’m not sure how to feel. I’m sad, but I’m also happy 4 all the great times we had together.”
Ice Cube, who co-starred with Witherspoon in the Friday film series, also took to Twitter to share his condolences.
“I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon,” he wrote. “Life won’t be as funny without him.”
“The Wayans Bros.” castmate, Marlon Wayans, shared his tribute to Witherspoon on Instagram.
”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,” the actor wrote. “[John Witherspoon] 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.”
The Roots’ Questlove recalled Witherspoon’s extensive filmography—including Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, Vampire In Brooklyn and more—in a post on Instagram.
“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,” he wrote. “History should tell it well, all the greats utilized him on their project for the last 45 years… he will forever be our pop pops. RIP.”
Scroll below for more celebrity tributes to the late actor and comedian. Rest in peace, John Witherspoon.