In news that can only be described as tragic, actor-comedian John Witherspoon – best known for his fatherly roles on the ‘Friday’ franchise and ‘The Wayans Bros.’ television sitcom – passed away Tuesday (October 29).

Details inside:

Report:

John Witherspoon, an actor-comedian who for decades made audiences laugh in television shows and films, including the hit Friday franchise, died suddenly at his home today. He was 77.

“It is with deepest sorrow that we can confirm our beloved husband and father, John Witherspoon, one of the hardest working men in show business, died today at his home in Sherman Oaks at the age of 77,” Witherspoon’s family said in a statement to Deadline. “He is survived by his wife Angela, and his sons JD, Alexander, and a large family. 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. John used to say ‘I’m no big deal’, but he was huge deal to us.”

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In addition to ‘Wayans Bros.’ and the ‘Friday’ franchise, Witherspoon appeared in numerous films including ‘Hollywood Shuffle,’ ‘Boomerang,’ ‘Vampire in Brooklyn,’ ‘I’m Gonna Get You Sucka,’ ‘Bird,’ and ‘The Meteor Man.’

He will be sorely missed.

[main photo source:  Getty Images]

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