John Witherspoon (actor): Difference between revisions
Fixed the ndash in the infobox |
Rephrased the spouse information in the infobox |
||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
| occupation = Actor, Comedian, Stand-Up Comedy |
| occupation = Actor, Comedian, Stand-Up Comedy |
||
| yearsactive = 1970–present |
| yearsactive = 1970–present |
||
| spouse = Angela |
| spouse = Angela Robinson (1988–present) 1 child |
||
}} |
|||
'''John Witherspoon''' (born January 27, 1942) is an [[United States|American]] comedy actor known for his roles in, ''[[Hollywood Shuffle]]'' (1987), ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' (1992), ''[[Murder Was The Case]]'' (1994), ''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'' (1995), ''[[Vampire In Brooklyn]]'' (1995) and the 1990s [[WB Television Network|WB]] sitcom ''[[The Wayans Bros.]]'' and more recently as "Granddad" in ''[[The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks]]''. |
'''John Witherspoon''' (born January 27, 1942) is an [[United States|American]] comedy actor known for his roles in, ''[[Hollywood Shuffle]]'' (1987), ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' (1992), ''[[Murder Was The Case]]'' (1994), ''[[Friday (film)|Friday]]'' (1995), ''[[Vampire In Brooklyn]]'' (1995) and the 1990s [[WB Television Network|WB]] sitcom ''[[The Wayans Bros.]]'' and more recently as "Granddad" in ''[[The Boondocks (TV series)|The Boondocks]]''. |
||
Revision as of 01:47, 20 January 2010
John Witherspoon | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Witherspoon |
| Other names | Johnny Witherspoon, "Detroit" John Witherspoon, "Pops" |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, Comedian, Stand-Up Comedy |
| Years active | 1970–present |
| Spouse | Angela Robinson (1988–present) 1 child |
John Witherspoon (born January 27, 1942) is an American comedy actor known for his roles in, Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Boomerang (1992), Murder Was The Case (1994), Friday (1995), Vampire In Brooklyn (1995) and the 1990s WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. and more recently as "Granddad" in The Boondocks.
Life and career
Witherspoon was born in Detroit, Michigan. He has combined a career as a stand-up comic with appearances on television and films. Most of his roles in movies have been as humorously cantankerous characters as seen in Boomerang, House Party, Vampire In Brooklyn and the Friday series. More recent roles include Robert "Granddad" Freeman in the animated television show The Boondocks. Witherspoon's most recent television appearance was as a blue-suited pimp in an episode of Carlos Mencia's Mind of Mencia. [citation needed]
Witherspoon appeared in Jay-Z's video for "I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me)" and in Field Mob's music video for "Sick of Being Lonely". He can be seen in Hitman Sammy Sam's video "Step Daddy" as Stepdaddy #1. He also appeared in LL Cool J's video "Ain't Nobody".
Witherspoon was interviewed on Space Ghost Coast to Coast but the interview never aired, although the interview is quickly glimpsed on Episode 60: "Lawsuit", When Space Ghost is looking for a lawyer. He also starred in the film Little Man along with the Wayans brothers (Shawn and Marlon) and made a small appearance in the 2000 film Little Nicky.
Witherspoon's longtime friend David Letterman is the godfather to his son, JohnDavid.[1] His brother, William Witherspoon, wrote the Motown hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted". Witherspoon is a cousin of Lamont Dozier.
Witherspoon, along with the likes of Paul Mooney, Robin Williams, Sandra Bernhard, and Tim Reid appeared on the groundbreaking and controversial NBC sketch comedy series The Richard Pryor Show, which was the brainchild of Richard Pryor. He was a regular on the sitcom The Wayans Bros., where he is nationally known for him uttering the phrase, "Bang!, Bang!, Bang!". He also appeared in Good Times, What's Happening!!, and Martin.
Witherspoon played the role of the blind man in the 2004 movie, Soul Plane.
Witherspoon's first hour-long stand-up special, You Got To Coordinate, premiered on the Showtime Network (USA) on March 28, 2008. It is available on DVD through Image Entertainment
Witherspoon is currently a spokesman for Eastern Motors, a Washington, DC-based used car dealership.
Selected filmography
| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Hollywood Shuffle | Mr. Jones |
| 1988 | I'm Gonna Get You Sucka | Reverend |
| House Party | Mr. Strickland | |
| 1992 | Boomerang | Mr. Jackson |
| 1993 | The Meteor Man | Clarence James Carter III |
| 1995 | Vampire in Brooklyn | Silas Green |
| Friday | Willy Jones | |
| 1996 | Ride | Roscoe |
| 1997 | Fakin'Da Funk | Bill |
| Sprung | Detective | |
| 1998 | Bulworth | Reverend Morris |
| I got the hook up | Mr. Mimm | |
| 2000 | Next Friday | Willy Jones |
| The Ladies Man | Scrap Iron | |
| Little Nicky | Street Vendor | |
| 2001 | Dr. Dolittle 2 | Zoo Bear #2 (voice) |
| 2002 | Friday After Next | Willy Jones |
| 2004 | Soul Plane | Blind Man |
| 2006 | Little Man | Pops |
| 2007 | After Sex | Gene |
| 2008 | The Super Rumble Mixshow | |
| The Boondocks | Robert 'Granddad' Freeman | |
| The Hustle | Mr. Wikes | |
| 2009 | Hopelessly in June | Mr. Myers |
| 2011 | A Thousand Words |