Spike Lee, Jordan Peele & Others Mourn the Passing of John Singleton

John Singleton, 51, was taken off life support on Monday after being in a medically induced coma. Following the heartbreaking news, several celebrities spoke out about the impact the Oscar-nominated director had had on their lives.

“I Will Forever Miss My Brother John Singleton. We Met While He Was A Film Student At USC,” fellow filmmaker Spike Lee recalled in an Instagram post. “Over Many Years People Have Told Me “I’m Going To Be A Filmmaker”, When John Said That To Me The 1st Time We Met, I Believed Him Right Away. It Was No Surprise. With His Passion, His Heart, The Way He Talked About His Love For Cinema And Black Folks I Could See John Would Make It Happen, And He Did.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2hAaQA-3c/

Singleton’s debut film, Boyz n the Hood (1991), became revered for how it compassionately depicted life for young Black men in South Central Los Angeles. The following year, he earned a Best Director Academy Award nomination for the mainstream hit, becoming the youngest person and first African-American to do so.

The acclaimed director was hospitalized after suffering a “major stroke” on April 17.

“RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear,” Jordan Peele tweeted about the news. “John was a brace artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.”

RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) April 29, 2019

Check out what other prominent figures in Black Hollywood, including Regina King, Robert Townsend and Shonda Rhimes, had to say about the iconic filmmaker below.

Regina King

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2RxZ2BdDh/?utm_source=ig_embed

Jordan Peele

RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) April 29, 2019

Shonda Rhimes

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bws8Rssl9Ex/?utm_source=ig_embed

Jamie Foxx

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2ZKywACNw/?utm_source=ig_embed

Wu-Tang Clan

Sending out Love To John Singleton and his Family. We Pray with you in the Struggle for our Brother. Peace
— Wu Tang Clan (@WuTangClan) April 29, 2019

Franklin Leonard

Robert Townsend

My prayers go out today to John Singleton and his family. May God bless the young cinematic king who gave us images that will stay with us forever.🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/tohsQTUPbj
— Robert Townsend (@Robert_Townsend) April 29, 2019

Michael Rapaport

God Bless this guy.
John Singleton Damn.
Such a nice guy.Talented guy.Generous
Gave so many people there Big Breaks.
What a nice loyal guy he was.#johnsingleton
Literally gave me the opportunity of my career. Was so supportive t& was my biggest fan making Higher Learning pic.twitter.com/c2xSCXfg2C
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) April 29, 2019

Cheo Hodari Coker

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw2ZPL0gFP0/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=16h4i0273520g

Tyrese

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw12ZH-BMWy/

Chance the Rapper

Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember The Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 29, 2019

Joy Reid

John Singleton was a true inspiration. He made movies that told our stories, and he showed us that there could be limitless possibilities for young, black, creative people. Deepest condolences to his family and friends. https://t.co/6BLqMQXjPV
— Joy-Ann Pro-Democracy & Masks Reid 😷 (@JoyAnnReid) April 29, 2019

What's Your Reaction?

Excited

Happy

In Love

Not Sure

Silly

Christina Santi

Christina Santi is a news and culture writer for EBONY.com. Born and raised in the Bronx, New York, she considers herself a well-read, not so traditional feminist with a heavy interest in music, fashion and pop culture. Christina currently lives in New York City, where she refers to her Cuban & Jamaican descent often while writing about her experiences as a first-generation Afro-Latinx in America. She also devotes time writing personalized reading material for her tutees and turning ideas into words for streetwear brand, PUER By Noel Bronson.