The Acting World Lost An Icon John “Pops” Witherspoon Passed Away He Was 77

“You kids today ain’t nothing but punks. Sissified. So quick to pick up a gun. you scared to take an ass-whipping.”

Just one of many great quotable’s from the man known as “Pop’s”. By the people who’ve had the pleasure to act by his side. Family, friends and fans walk today all with a heavy heart accompanied by a huge smile.

Mr Witherspoon was a native of Detroit Michigan. He was born in the winter of 1942 and spread smiles throughout the world until the day he passed on October 29, 2019. He was born on January 27, 1942. A natural comedian being an Aquarius. If you know you’re Astrology you know what I mean if not take my word for it.

John’s Career

John began his trek into the entertainment world as a model in the 1960’s and 70’s. He began to gravitate towards comedy in the ’70s and started pursuing that route. Becoming a stand-up comic led to meeting well-known people in the industry and building with them over time. Eventually becoming affiliated with Richard Pryor and Robin Williams on The Richard Pryor Show. Which led to meeting Jay Leno and the godfather to his children David Letterman.

Witherspoon made is his first television appearance on the show Barnaby Jones. He played a camp counselor for kids addicted to drugs. Which got the ball rolling his major TV role came via The Waynes Brothers. He played the father to Marlon and Shawn Waynes, going by “Pops.”

TV appearances include: Martin, Good Times, What’s Happening, Cosmic Slop, Murder Was The Case and Living Single just to name a few. John can also be heard as a voice actor in the animated series Waynehead and The Boondocks as ‘Granddad’.

John got his first movie role as an M.C. in the 1980 film “The Jazz Singer”. He has now performed in over 30 films spanning four decades. His most notable role came as Ice Cubes ‘Pops’ in the cult classic Friday.

Witherspoon passed suddenly at his home in Sherman Oaks, California. Sadly he’s left behind his wife Angela and their two sons Alexander and JD.

The family of John released a statement:

“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.”

So…my Dad died today & honestly I’m not sure how to feel. I’m sad, but I’m also happy 4 all the great times we had together. We’d roast each other like homies more than Father & Son, and I really liked that. He was my best friend & my idol.

Love U Dad…I’ll miss u.

– J.D. pic.twitter.com/zvzep5S11I

— J.D. (@jdwitherspoon) October 30, 2019

Some of “Pops” best quotable’s

• “Every time I come in the kitchen you in the kitchen. In the god damn refrigerator. Eatin’ up all the food. All the chitlin. All the pig feet. All the collard greens. All the hog maws. I wanna eat some of them chitlins, I love pig feet!”
• ” I bet y’all drinking that wine. Smoking them tweeds and everything.”
• “How the hell you get fired on your day off.”

Enjoy Some Of John Witherspoons Best Moments

(Image courtesy of Comics Comic, videos courtesy of YouTube, and the source was Vibe)