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Detroit-born actor John Witherspoon dies, played Pops in ‘Friday’

The actor and comedian died at the age of 77

He taught Ice Cube how to be a man in the 90s hit film “Friday.”

John Witherspoon, a Detroit native, has died at the age of 77.

“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,” reads a statement from his family.

Witherspoon had a recurring role in the “Friday” films and made plenty of cameos throughout his career that started back on “The Richard Pryor Show” in 1977.

He earned his first film roll in the 1980 movie “The Jazz Singer.”

He’s also known as the voice of “Granddad” in the popular cartoon show “The Boondocks.”

The news of his passing has celebrities paying tribute on Twitter.


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