Stars are paying tribute to John Witherspoon on social media today, less than 12 hours after we learned of the 77-year-old comic actor’s death.
We’ve rounded up tributes to the man known to viewers as Pops, Granddad, and Willie Jones from Ice Cube, Marlon Wayans, Jamie Foxx and Regina King.
Ice Cube✔@icecube
I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him.
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- Chance the Rapper: God bless John Witherspoon. The definition of an icon. Wow.
- Regina King: My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King
- David Alan Grier: “RIP my brother. You will be missed. Mannnnnnn this is a hard one.”
- Neal Brennan: “Eddie Murphy told Charlie about a time at the Comedy Store in the 1980’s when Paul Mooney and Spoon were gonna beat him up in the parking lot. Charlie was shocked. “Yeah, Charlie. They weren’t always old.” RIP Spoon.”
- Judd Apatow: “Pure funny. Hilarious and always kind. John Witherspoon will be missed.”
- T.I.: “Glad I had a chance to get to know you King. You’re truly one of the funniest most genuine people anyone could ever meet. Rest easy and God bless your transition.”