(OFFICIAL SOURCE WITH THE FAMILY'S STATEMENT) John Witherspoon has died

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John Witherspoon, actor-comedian who for decades made audiences laugh in television shows and films, including the hit Friday franchise, died suddenly at his home today. He was 77.

Comedy great Witherspoon was born in Detroit in 1942 as John Weatherspoon. He launched a stand-up comedy career and began acting in the late 1970s with guest-starring TV roles, making his feature debut in the 1980 The Jazz Singer.. Witherspoon appeared in numerous films, including Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, Vampire in Brooklyn, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, Bird and The Meteor Man.

Witherspoon was perhaps best known for his role as the grump Mr. Jones alongside Ice Cube and Chris Tucker in Friday. He also appeared in the sequel Next Friday, and was expected to reprise his role in the long-gestating final installment of the franchise titled Last Friday.

Witherspoon also voiced Gramps on the cult animated series The Boondocks. He likely would’ve returned for the series’ upcoming revival on HBO Max. Also known for his role as Pops on The Wayans Brothers, Witherspoon did stints on such comedy series as The Tracy Morgan Show, The First Family and Black Jesus.

Even with his busy film and TV career, standup comedy remained an important part of Witherspoon’s life. At age 77, he continued to perform regularly and had several dates coming up at the time of his death.

John Witherspoon Dies: ‘Friday’ And ‘Black Jesus’ Star Was 77 – Deadline

"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 said in a statement issued late Tuesday, adding that "John used to say ‘I’m no big deal’, but he was huge deal to us.” Witherspoon had numerous TV credits. He guest-starred on The Richard Pryor Show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Black-ish, The Proud Family and on the season of BoJack Horseman that dropped last week. He also starred on The Wayans Bros., playing John 'Pops' Williams, Shawn and Marlon's dysfunctional tacky father. He starred on Aaron McGruder's The Boondocks, voicing Robert Jebediah "Grandad" Freeman, and McGruder's recent Adult Swim sitcom Black Jesus. And he starred on The Tracy Morgan Show. Witherspoon was also a frequent David Letterman guest, on both Late Night and The Late Show. Witherspoon's death comes one month after HBO Max announced a two-season The Boondocks revival. No word yet on what will happen to Witherspoon's character. "My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King," tweeted Regina King, Witherspoon's Friday and The Boondocks co-star. In a lengthy Instagram post, Marlon Wayans remembered his Wayans Bros. co-star: "I’m sad," Wayans wrote. "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 @johnnywitherspoon 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. You have a strong wife and great kids. What an amazing family. Your boys damn near grew up on the #WayansBros set they’ll always be like my little brothers and sons. i will pass on all the jewels that you bestowed on to us. Thank you God for the many many many laughs that we shared on and off the set...Anytime i want to laugh or to see you I’m gonna put on a episode of wayans bros and laugh until i cry. I miss already.... hope your dancing in heaven with ugly white shoes on."