Comedian, actor John Witherspoon dead at 77
Actor John Witherspoon arrives on the red carpet at the world premiere of Columbia Pictures' "Hancock," June 30, 2008 at Grauman?s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California.
LOS ANGELES - Comedian and actor John Witherspoon passed away on Tuesday at age 77, his family confirmed.
The family posted a statement to the actor's Twitter account that read:
"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"
Actress Regina King tweeted, "My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King."
Witherspoon is best known for his roles on "Friday," "The Boondocks," and the 1995 TV series "The Wayans Bros" where he played the character of John "Pops" Williams, according to his IMDB page.
Born in 1942 in Detroit, the actor got his start in the entertainment industry acting in various roles on "The Richard Pryor Show."
He was nominated for a BET Comedy Award in 2004 for "The Tracy Morgan Show."
"Life won't be as funny without him," his "Friday" co-star Ice Cube tweeted.
Marlon Wayans wrote a tribute to Witherspoon on Instagram calling Witherspoon "one of the funniest, sweetest, wisest, humblest loving men...you were my TV dad and my mentor and my friend."
He is survived by his wife and two children.
It was not immediately known what caused Witherspoon's death.
FOX 11's Kelli Johnson contributed to this report.