'Friday' Actor John Witherspoon Dead at 77

Witherspoon's family confirmed the news.

john witherspoon 77
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NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 22: John Witherspoon arrives for "The Late Show with David Letterman" at Ed Sullivan Theater on February 22, 2012 in New York City. (Photo by Donna Ward/Getty Images)

john witherspoon 77

Detroit-born actor and comedian John Witherspoon has passed away at the age of 77, Deadline reports.

RIP Pops. 💔

A legend. pic.twitter.com/WaFJE3oO7C

"It is with deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today at his home in Sherman Oaks at the age of 77," Witherspoon’s family told Deadline in a statement. "He is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons JD, Alexander, and a large family. 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. John used to say ‘I’m no big deal’, but he was huge deal to us."

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 pic.twitter.com/ov9P34kaMn

Witherspoon is perhaps best known for his role as Willie Jones in the Friday movies and for voicing Robert Jebediah "Grandad" Freeman in The Boondocks. Last month, it was reported that HBO Max put in a two-season order for the animated series. Witherspoon has acted in several movies and television shows throughout his long career, such as Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, Vampire In Brooklyn, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, House Party, I Got the Hook-Up, I Got the Hook-Up, Soul Plane, Little Man, The Richard Pryor Show, The Incredible Hulk, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, The Tracy Morgan Show, Black Jesus, Black Dynamite, Black-ish, and much more. Witherspoon was recently featured on Chance the Rapper's The Big Day album.

Thanks to my Main man @chancetherapper for having me on his New Album #TheBigDay #YeahBoy pic.twitter.com/iuk2FFwaaS

Speaking of hip-hop, Witherspoon was in multiple music videos. He made appearances in the visuals for JAY-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and Field Mob's "Sick Of Being Lonely."

Fans, friends, and colleagues have been taking to social media to pay their respects to the comedian.

My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King pic.twitter.com/U6GsNrrKXF
John Witherspoon had all the quotables. RIP to a real one.
Fuckkkk RIP John Witherspoon! Lots of laughs cuz of ya 🙏🏾
Oh man, so sorry to hear about John Witherspoon. A great comic and a class act. Years ago, I had the privileged of working with him and not only was his act hilarious but he would also kill by dropping one of his many unforgettable movie quotes. #RIPJohnWitherspoon #coordinate pic.twitter.com/XsO71EKnGw
its a fucking john witherspoon marathon at the crib on my fucking momma
Rest In Peace, John Witherspoon.
John Witherspoon forever ❤️

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