John Witherspoon was a legendary comedian and actor who passed away in 2019 at the age of 77. He was best known for his role as Willie Jones, the father of Ice Cube’s character, in the Friday film series. He also appeared in many other movies and TV shows, such as Boomerang, The Wayans Bros, The Boondocks, and Black Jesus. But how much was John Witherspoon worth at the time of his death? And how did he earn his fortune?
Early Life and Career
John Witherspoon was born on January 27, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. His original last name was Weatherspoon, but he changed it to Witherspoon when he started his acting career. He was one of 11 siblings, and his older brother William Weatherspoon was a songwriter for Motown who wrote hits like “What Becomes of the Brokenhearted”. John had a passion for music as well, and learned to play the trumpet and the French horn.
He began his career as a model in the 1960s and 1970s, while also doing stand-up comedy. He befriended many famous comedians, such as Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, David Letterman, and Jay Leno. His first TV appearance was in 1970 on the CBS series Barnaby Jones. He then landed roles on shows like Good Times, What’s Happening!!, and The Incredible Hulk. In 1977, he became a regular on The Richard Pryor Show, which led to more opportunities in TV and film.
Breakthrough and Success
John Witherspoon made his film debut in 1980’s The Jazz Singer, starring Neil Diamond. He then appeared in several comedy films in the 1980s, such as Hollywood Shuffle, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and Bird. He also had recurring roles on TV shows like Amen, Frank’s Place, and You Again?.
However, his breakthrough role came in 1995, when he played Willie Jones in Friday, alongside Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. The film was a huge success, grossing over $28 million on a $3.5 million budget. It also spawned two sequels, Next Friday (2000) and Friday After Next (2002), both of which featured Witherspoon reprising his role. He also voiced Willie Jones in the animated series based on the films.
Witherspoon also starred in other popular films in the 1990s and 2000s, such as Boomerang (1992), The Five Heartbeats (1991), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), Soul Plane (2004), and Little Man (2006). He also had memorable roles on TV shows like The Wayans Bros (1995-1999), The Tracy Morgan Show (2003-2004), The Boondocks (2005-2014), and Black Jesus (2014-2019). He also voiced characters on animated shows like The Proud Family (2001-2005), Kim Possible (2002-2007), and Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (2012-2015).
John Witherspoon Net Worth
According to various sources, John Witherspoon had an estimated net worth of $4 million at the time of his death in 2019. He earned most of his wealth from his acting career, especially from his roles in the Friday films. He also made money from his stand-up comedy tours and appearances.
John Witherspoon was a beloved figure in the entertainment industry, who made millions of people laugh with his hilarious performances. He left behind a legacy of comedy that will be remembered for generations to come.
Conclusion
In conclusion, John Witherspoon was a talented comedian and actor who made significant contributions to the world of entertainment.
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