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John Witherspoon, 'Friday' actor-comedian, dead at age 77, family says

LOS ANGELES — John Witherspoon, the actor and comedian known for his role in "Friday," has died at age 77, his family announced late Tuesday.

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Witherspoon's death came Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles' Sherman Oaks neighborhood, family members told Deadline in a statement. They did not say what caused his death.

"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," the statement read.

According to The Associated Press, Witherspoon starred as "Pops" in the "Friday" movies and provided the voice of Robert "Granddad" Freeman on "The Boondocks." He also played John "Pops" Williams on '90s TV series "The Wayans Bros" and appeared in the movies "Boomerang" and "Vampire in Brooklyn," the AP reported.

Survivors include Witherspoon's wife, Angela, and sons Alexander and J.D., his family told Deadline. The latter took to Twitter to share several throwback photos of him and his father.

"So ... my Dad died today & honestly I'm not sure how to feel," J.D. Witherspoon tweeted. "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."

Fellow celebrities and friends paid tribute to Witherspoon on social media, as well.

"I'm devastated over the passing of John Witherspoon," Ice Cube wrote in a tweet. "Life won't be as funny without him."

"You were my TV dad and my mentor and my friend," actor and comedian Marlon Wayans added in an Instagram post. "I miss you already."

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I’m sad. Broken. Hurt.. yet extremely grateful to God that i got to spend 5 years of my life working with one of the funniest sweetest wisest humblest loving man @johnnywitherspoon you were my tv dad and my mentor and my friend. I miss you already. Something don’t feel right. This is heavy on my heart. Anyone that knows me knows how much i love pops. You have a strong wife and great kids. What an amazing family. Your boys damn near grew up on the #WayansBros set they’ll always be like my little brothers and sons. i will pass on all the jewels that you bestowed on to us. Thank you God for the many many many laughs that we shared on and off the set. You got “all the keys 🔑 “ and i know you got one to heaven’s gate. Anytime i want to laugh or to see you I’m gonna put on a episode of wayans bros and laugh until i cry. I miss already.... hope your dancing in heaven with ugly white shoes on. “Pops pops sugar pops”. #ripjohnwitherspoon #mysecondpops

A post shared by Marlon Wayans (@marlonwayans) on

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– The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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