Full Name
- John Witherspoon (also known as John Weatherspoon).
Date of Birth and Death
- Born: January 27, 1942.
- Died: October 29, 2019.
Place of Birth and Death
- Place of Birth: Detroit, Michigan, U.S..
- Place of Death: Sherman Oaks, California, U.S..
Known Affiliates
John Witherspoon collaborated with many notable figures in the entertainment industry, including Ice Cube, Regina King, Snoop Dogg, Jay Leno, and David Letterman. These collaborations spanned across various projects, enriching his career and contributing to his diverse body of work.
Education
The search results do not provide specific information about John Witherspoon’s education.
Spouse’s Name
- Angela Robinson (married in 1988).
Children
- John David (“J.D.”) Witherspoon.
- Alexander Witherspoon.
Social Justice Contributions
Specific details about John Witherspoon’s contributions to social justice are not provided in the search results.
Artistic Achievements
John Witherspoon’s artistic achievements spanned across stand-up comedy, film, and television. He began his career in stand-up comedy in the 1960s, achieving success in the early 1970s alongside fellow stand-ups Robin Williams, Richard Pryor, Jay Leno, and David Letterman[1]. His stand-up career laid the foundation for his later work in film and television.
In film, Witherspoon was perhaps best known for his role as Willie Jones in the “Friday” film series. His character, the father of Ice Cube’s character, was a recurring role in the series, including its sequels “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next”[1]. He was expected to reprise his role in the final installment of the franchise titled “Last Friday”[1]. His other film work includes appearances in three films which starred Eddie Murphy: “Boomerang” (1992), “Vampire in Brooklyn” (1995), and “Dr. Doolittle 2” (2001)[1].
On television, Witherspoon’s work includes acting roles on “The Incredible Hulk,” “Good Times,” “Barnaby Jones,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” “Hill Street Blues,” “L.A. Law,” and a starring role as John “Pops” Williams on the The WB sitcom “The Wayans Bros.” from 1995 to 1999[1]. He also lent his distinctive vocal talents to various animated projects, including the hit film “Bébé’s Kids” and the TV series “The Boondocks,” where he voiced the character of Granddad[3].
Witherspoon’s unique style of humor and unmistakable voice made him a favorite not only in stand-up comedy but also in voice acting[3]. His characters were often relatable, with a mix of mischief, curmudgeonliness, love, and life lessons behind their tough exteriors[5]. His career was marked by a dedication to his craft, and he was known for his ability to make every scene better[5]. His legacy in the entertainment industry remains strong, remembered for his unique humor and memorable characters.
Citations: [1] https://www.emmys.com/bios/john-witherspoon [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Witherspoon [3] https://facts.net/celebrity/34-facts-about-john-witherspoon/ [4] https://www.ushistory.org/declaration/signers/witherspoon.html [5] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/31/opinion/john-witherspoon-friday.html [6] https://slavery.princeton.edu/stories/john-witherspoon [7] https://www.princetonianamuseum.org/artifact/98225f13-452f-4584-b3ac-82843884d565 [8] https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/john-witherspoon/