A host of celebrity friends and admirers of comic legend John Witherspoon spoke lovingly at his homegoing services in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2019.
The late comedian’s death last week at age 77 in suburban Los Angeles sent shockwaves throughout the worlds of comedy and entertainment, as it abruptly ended a celebrated career that spanned five decades.
Though his rise began in the 1970s, Witherspoon is best known for his appearances in movies and TV shows that began in the 1990s, including Boomerang, the Friday film franchise, as “Grandad” on “Boondocks” and the father (“Pops”) on “The Wayans Bros.”
Witherspoon’s homegoing service was emceed by another comic legend, David Letterman of “Late Show” fame. The service also featured a cavalcade of A-list speakers, including Ice Cube, who introduced Witherspoon to another generation of audiences with his triumvirate of classic Friday films.
Others who spoke at the celebration of life included “Original Kings of Comedy” alum Cedric the Entertainer, along with comedians George Wallace, Angela Gibbs and Bill Bellamy and actress Regina King.
King, who starred with Witherspoon in the original Friday movie in 1995, couldn’t attend in person, but sent along a video message that was played during the service.
Listen to Ice Cube speaking lovingly of his close friend in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NclCoRODo-4
