John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon was an American stand-up comedian and actor who appeared in numerous comedy films and TV shows. Witherspoon was one of 11 children, pursuing music as a young man with his brother William, who would go on to success as a songwriter and producer at Motown. Witherspoon made his start as a stand-up in the early '70s, soon appearing in small parts in popular sitcoms like "Good Times" and "What's Happening!!" as well as dramatic shows like the crime drama "Barnaby Jones" and the comic book hit "The Incredible Hulk." In the late '80s Witherspoon made inroads with many of the African-American members of Hollywood, appearing in Robert Townsend's 1987 comedy "Hollywood Shuffle," Keenen Ivory Wayans's comedy "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka" in 1988, and Reginald Hudlin's teen comedy "House Party" in 1990. In 1995, Witherspoon appeared as the irritable Mr. Jones in the hit comedy "Friday" with Ice Cube and returned in both sequels. In 1995 he was cast as John 'Pops' Williams in the WB sitcom "The Wayans Brothers," which lasted for five seasons. Witherspoon played the part of Spoon on NBC's comedy "The Tracy Morgan Show" in 2003. In 2005 he began lending his voice to the character Robert 'Granddad' Freeman on the animated program "The Boondocks." Witherspoon was also a close friend of talk show host David Letterman, who is the godfather to his son. In 2011, Witherspoon starred in the comedy "A Thousand Words" with comedy great Eddie Murphy. John Witherspoon died on October 29, 2019 at the age of 77.
Photos
John Witherspoon
Filmography
Movies
Credit | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
40% |
|
Reality Queen! | Joe the Plumber (Character) | - | 2019 |
No Score Yet |
|
I Got the Hook-Up 2 | Mr. Mimm (Character) | $234.8K | 2019 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Boosters | Unknown (Character) | - | 2012 |
No Score Yet |
|
Chick Magnet | John (Character) | - | 2011 |
No Score Yet |
|
The Hustle | Mr. Wikes (Character) | - | 2008 |
12% |
|
Little Man | Pops (Character) | $58.3M | 2006 |
18% |
|
Soul Plane | Blind Man (Character) | $13.9M | 2004 |
26% |
|
Friday After Next | Willie Jones (Character) | $33.0M | 2002 |
41% |
|
Dr. Dolittle 2 | Zoo Bear #2 (Voice) | $113.0M | 2001 |
11% |
|
The Ladies Man | Scrap Iron (Character) | $13.6M | 2000 |
22% |
|
Next Friday | Mr. Jones (Character) | $57.2M | 2000 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | High Freakquency | Wes Thomas (Character) | - | 1998 |
17% |
|
I Got the Hook-Up | Mr. Mimm (Character) | $10.3M | 1998 |
No Score Yet |
|
Ride | Roscoe (Character) | - | 1998 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | 24-7 | Wes Thomas (Character) | - | 1998 |
20% |
|
Sprung | Detective (Character) | $7.6M | 1997 |
No Score Yet |
|
Fakin' Da Funk | Bill (Character) | - | 1997 |
11% |
|
Vampire in Brooklyn | Silas Green (Character) | $18.7M | 1995 |
76% |
|
Friday | Mr. Jones (Character) | $27.4M | 1995 |
49% |
|
Boomerang | Mr. Jackson (Character) | $66.7M | 1992 |
36% |
|
Bebe's Kids | Card Player 1 (Voice) | $7.5M | 1992 |
No Score Yet |
|
Talkin' Dirty After Dark | Dukie (Character) | - | 1991 |
No Score Yet |
|
Killer Tomatoes Strike Back | Evan Rood (Character) | - | 1990 |
88% |
|
Hollywood Shuffle | Mr. Jones (Character) | $5.2M | 1987 |
25% |
|
Ratboy | Heavy (Character) | $1.9K | 1986 |
26% |
|
The Jazz Singer | M.C. at Cinderella Club (Character) | - | 1980 |
TV
Credit | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Dad on Board | Host | 2017 |
53% | 73% | White Famous | Limo Driver (Guest Star) | 2017 |
92% | 57% | black-ish | Unknown (Guest Star) | 2016 |
23% | 53% | Anger Management | Will (Guest Star) | 2014 |
100% | 78% | Late Show With David Letterman | Guest | 2013 |
48% | 81% | The Boondocks | Unknown (Voice) | 2007 |
40% | No Score Yet | The Tracy Morgan Show | Spoon (Character) | 2003-2004 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child | Unknown (Voice) | 2000 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | The Wayans Bros. | Unknown (Character) | 1995-1999 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Living Single | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1997 |
No Score Yet | 91% | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1994 |
60% | No Score Yet | Townsend Television | Unknown (Character) | 1993 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Frank's Place | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1987 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Barnaby Jones | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1979 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Good Times | Officer Lawson (Guest Star) | 1979 |
No Score Yet | 74% | Incredible Hulk | Unknown (Guest Star) | 1978 |
No Score Yet | No Score Yet | Def Comedy Jam | Host |