Actor John Witherspoon Dead At 77

The comedy world is in mourning after it was announced that comedian John Witherspoon has passed away at 77 years of age.

“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 to Deadline. “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.”

Witherspoon is most known for his roles in Friday and as the voice of the grandad in the animated series, The Boondocks.

Some of his other movie appearances include Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, Vampire in Brooklyn, I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, Bird, and The Meteor Man.

Celebrities on Twitter paid tribute to the star:

Our condolences go out to Witherspoon’s family.