John Witherspoon dead – Legendary Friday actor who played Ice Cube’s dad and starred in Fresh Prince dies age - The Sun

ACTOR John Witherspoon, who starred alongside rapper Ice Cube in the hit 'Friday' comedy movie franchise, has died at the age of 77.

The comedian also starred as John "Pops" Williams on the sitcom The Wayans Bros and appeared with Will Smith in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

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Legend... Actor-comedian John Witherspoon starred in a range of movies and comedies in the 1990s and 2000sCredit: AP:Associated Press

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Ice Cube and his 'dad' in the movie franchise

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Will Smith starring alongside the late John Witherspoon who plays the protective father of Will's girlfriend in the Fresh Prince of Bel-AirCredit: Getty - Contributor

A family statement released on his Twitter account said: "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."

Witherspoon, who was born in Detroit, Michigan, started his career as a stand-up comedian and began acting in the 1970s.

He was best-known for playing the grumpy father of rapper Ice Cube in the 1995 comedy Friday, reprising the role in sequels Next Friday and Friday After Next.

The comedian also memorably featured in an episode of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in which he played Augustus Adams who was the protective dad of of Will Smith's girlfriend Lisa.

In a bid to scare Will out of having a relationship he takes him on a trip aboard his plane but crash lands in a mountain forest.

Smith eventually flees from Augustus after becoming unsettled by his overbearing personality.

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

— John Witherspoon (@John_POPS_Spoon) October 30, 2019

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Shortly after news of Witherspoon's death emerged, Oscar-winning actress Regina King, who starred alongside him in Friday, paid tribute.

She tweeted: "My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King."

Ice Cube also tweeted, writing: "I'm devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won't be as funny without him."

Witherspoon is survived by his wife Angela, and sons JD and Alexander.

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Ice Cube paid tribute to Witherspoon after news of his death broke

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Cartoon cult classic: Witherspoon voiced Gramps on The Boondocks animated series

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John Witherspoon dead – Legendary Friday actor who played Ice Cube’s dad and starred in Fresh Prince dies age - The Sun
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