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.”
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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
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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
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Jamie Foxx
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
Rest in Power John Singleton.
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) April 29, 2019
Gone too damn soon. https://t.co/xdNKqAytnF
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.
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) April 29, 2019
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
Cheo Hodari Coker
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Tyrese
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 Owbum 📅 (@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 Reid (@JoyAnnReid) April 29, 2019
