John Witherspoon is an iconic actor best known for his legendary roles in “Friday,” “The Wayans Bros,” and “Boomerang.”

A product of Detroit’s west side raised in a working-class household that taught him the early importance of finding humor in every situation, especially as one of 11 children coming up in a crammed home full of strong personalities.

It was the kind of real-life chaos he would later transmute into comedy, going on to become everybody’s uncle, everybody’s dad, and above all else – always the realest person in the room.

A man of many talents, Witherspoon initially started out studying fashion, but it was his natural sense of humor that led to him relocating to Los Angeles in the 1970s, where he started doing stand-up and variety shows to pay the bills and later becominga centerpiece on programs like “The Richard Pryor Show,” “WKRP in Cincinnati,” and “What’s Happening!!”

However, in1995, the biggest moment of John Witherspoon’s career came when he accepted the role of Mr. Jones (Ice Cube’s dad) in the move “Friday,” a man that was equal parts infuriating and wise – not to mention the comic relief and anchor of the entire movie.

His line “You win some, you lose some, but you live to fight another day” would become a beloved piece of Black pop culture history.

From there, he returned in the same role in “Next Friday” and “Friday After Next,” continuing to cement his legacy as every Black dad in America in the collective psyche.

Continuing his role of a father figure, John starred as Pops on “The Wayans Bros” in the late 1990s, where his chemistry with Shawn and Marlon Wayans was so natural that some viewers thought they were really family.

He then voiced the iconic Granddad on “The Boondocks,” where he once again balanced comedy with commentary, his voice carrying the weight of someone who meant it whether he was yelling at Huey or threatening Riley.

In short, his voice is the kind you hear through the wall when your neighbor is upset about something.

The kind you know better than to talk back to.

He kept it funny, yet grounded – and you could always hear his Detroit upbringing layered into his delivery.

Witherspoon passed away in 2019, yet is legacy continues to live on in his characters and the new generation of comedic actors he inspired.

He wasn’t just a funny man.

He was Detroit’s sitcom sage – authentic, quotable, and forever the funniest man on the block.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: September 20, 2025