On the 29th of October, the tragic news came in that John Witherspoon had sadly passed away at his family home.
The comedian and actor, who was best known for his roles in the Friday movie franchise, made a huge impact in the world of showbiz and music, and it's safe to say that his death came as an enormous shock.
In the weeks following his passing, details around the official cause of death have remained unclear. But now, his death certificate has been obtained, and the cause of John's death has finally been confirmed.
Keep scrolling to learn more about the actor's death and the incredible life that he has led...
John Witherspoon sadly passed away last month.
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Witherspoon's family announced his sudden death in his Sherman Oaks home on the 29th of October.He was seventy-seven-years-old.
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The family statement read: "It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband and father has passed away. He was a legend in the entertainment industry and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you POPS always and forever."He was born in Detroit, 1942, as John Weatherspoon.
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But he changed his surname when he embarked upon a stand-up comedy career.He went on to star in numerous movies...
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Witherspoon made his feature movie debut in 1980 in The Jazz Singer, later appearing in films like Vampire In Brooklyn, Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, I'm Gonna Get Your Sucka, Soul Plane, The Meteor Man, and many more.But what he was made the most famous for...
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His roles in the Friday movie franchises, with the first being in 1995.Friday was hugely successful...
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He played curmudgeonly Mr. Willie Jones opposite Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, and he would later go on to star in the sequel Next Friday in 2000 and the sequel Friday After Next in 2002.
Witherspoon had planned to appear in the forthcoming Friday installment...
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Last Friday is currently in pre-production and it was reported that Ice Cube had already written the scripts, but Witherspoon sadly never got to film the project.He has left behind his wife and 2 children...
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He had Alexander and John David Witherspoon with his wife, Angela Robinson-Witherspoon.The family needs time to grieve.
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"It is with the deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today," the actor's family also told Deadline in a statement. His cause of death is currently unknown.A tragic and heartbreaking loss...
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"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 went on.
"John used to say "I’m no big deal," but he was a huge deal to us," they continued.
John's life was celebrated on November 5th.
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His closest family members and friends gathered at Forest Lawn in Hollywood Hills to say their final goodbyes.It was an extravagant affair.
Preparations underway for John Witherspoon funeral @ForestLawn this afternoon. David Letterman is giving the openin… https://t.co/ZrAbszHupg— Armando Aparicio (@Armando Aparicio)1572990662.0
His best friend, David Letterman delivered the opening monologue...
Mr. Letterman. John Witherspoon memorial. https://t.co/AGqRdwzGoy— Greg Eagles (@Greg Eagles)1573001122.0
His co-star and friend, Ice Cube, also delivered a speech.
And he paid an incredibly touching tribute to his life-long friend and partner, saying that he “enjoyed the hell out of John" for as long as he could remember, and noting that John was "one of the funniest people I know."
It's comforting to know that John is now at peace.
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But, for his closest family and friends, the pain of finding out his cause of death has still been looming.The cause of his death has, so far, remained unclear.
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It is known that John had been suffering from some heart-related issues, but the severity of the health complications was never disclosed.But now, we may have an answer to his sudden death.
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TMZ obtained Witherspoon's death certificate which says that the beloved actor has been battling with coronary artery disease.A heart attack was what ended John's life.
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The document states that he had been suffering from several heart-related ailments, which are believed to have caused the fatal heart attack.The certificate also states that he was suffering from hypertension...
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Which is another name for high blood pressure. However, this is not believed to be linked to his heart attack.But it certainly didn't help his ability to survive the fatal heart attack.
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The death certificate also lists his time of death at 5:30 pm. Here's hoping that, after this conclusion, John's family can finally find the peace they've been looking for. Rest in peace, John Witherspoon.