On Monday, the family of John Singleton announced that the iconic director, producer, and screenwriter had been taken off life support. He has passed away at the age of 51.
"We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpouring of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," his family said. "We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received."
Singleton was in a coma after suffering a stroke earlier this month. The Los Angeles native was the creative mind behind acclaimed projects like 1993's Poetic Justice, 1995's Higher Learning, 1997's Rosewood, and the FX series Snowfall. Singleton made his directorial debut in 1991 with the classic film Boyz n the Hood. The movie made him the youngest and first African-American to earn an Oscar for Best Director.
In addition to his honors, Singleton is credited with starting the careers of today's biggest talents—including those who starred in his films and others who were influnced by his work. Many celebrities have taken to social media to publicly express their grief and condolences.
