Jordan Sernoff ’20, Staff Writer
In October the world lost one of the funniest men to grace its screens. Actor and Comedian John Witherspoon passed away early in the morning of the 30th. Witherspoon was known mostly for his portrayals of African-American fathers across both movies and shows. One of his biggest roles was as Willie or Mr. Jones in the Friday trilogy of movies. He also provided the voice for the Grandfather in the Boondocks animated series. Witherspoon brought an element of slapstick comedy to his roles as he often made interesting and zanny faces to go along with his loud and brash acting style. On top of that he was never afraid to slap someone in the face or receive one of his own. As Khal a writer for Complex puts it, “Dude’s given black folks something to be proud of since ’77.” Witherspoon was a comedic force as he always provided a hearty laugh whenever he was on screen. He also provided a strong a lasting example of how not just African American fathers should act, but was an example for everyone. In the first Friday movie Mr. Jones is constantly trying to ensure Ice Cube’s character Craig stays on the straight and narrow path avoiding the drugs and other dangers that the “hood” is full of. By the end of the movie Unc Willie single handedly prevents another cold blooded murder in his neighborhood by talking Craig down and tell him that guns are never the answer for resolving his problems. This message is so powerful because of Witherspoon’s pleading with Craig as he holds another man’s life in his hands. An actor’s ability to make their audience cry from laughter and from sentiment all within the same movie is a unique ability that not many have. Witherspoon was the same way off screen as he was on screen. Many of his friends and family referred to him as Pops after his role on the Wayans brothers show where he played John “Pops” Williams the father of the Wayans brothers on the show. Witherspoon’s comedy made him a legend in the African-American community and his passing will have a lingering impact every time one of the Fridays movies comes on or reruns of the Boondocks comes on.
Ice Cube summed up this sentiment with a tweet saying, “I’m devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon. Life won’t be as funny without him.” Witherspoon is survived by Angela Robinson-Witherspoon, his wife, and their two children, Alexander and John David Witherspoon.
