Detroit-born actor and comedian John Witherspoon has passed away at the age of 77, Deadline reports.

"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 told Deadline in a statement. "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."

It is with deep sadness we have to tweet this, but our husband & father John Witherspoon has passed away. He was a Legend in the entertainment industry, and a father figure to all who watched him over the years. We love you “POPS” always & forever.



- The Witherspoon Family pic.twitter.com/ov9P34kaMn — John Witherspoon (@John_POPS_Spoon) October 30, 2019

Witherspoon is perhaps best known for his role as Willie Jones in the Friday movies and for voicing Robert Jebediah "Grandad" Freeman in The Boondocks. Last month, it was reported that HBO Max put in a two-season order for the animated series. Witherspoon has acted in several movies and television shows throughout his long career, such as Hollywood Shuffle, Boomerang, Vampire In Brooklyn, I'm Gonna Get You Sucka, House Party, I Got the Hook-Up, I Got the Hook-Up, Soul Plane, Little Man, The Richard Pryor Show, The Incredible Hulk, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Living Single, The Tracy Morgan Show, Black Jesus, Black Dynamite, Black-ish, and much more. Witherspoon was recently featured on Chance the Rapper's The Big Day album.

Thanks to my Main man @chancetherapper for having me on his New Album #TheBigDay #YeahBoy pic.twitter.com/iuk2FFwaaS — John Witherspoon (@John_POPS_Spoon) July 29, 2019

Speaking of hip-hop, Witherspoon was in multiple music videos. He made appearances in the visuals for JAY-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and Field Mob's "Sick Of Being Lonely."

Fans, friends, and colleagues have been taking to social media to pay their respects to the comedian.

My dad, my grandpa, my comedic inspiration! I love you Spoons! Rest In Paradise, King pic.twitter.com/U6GsNrrKXF — Regina King (@ReginaKing) October 30, 2019

John Witherspoon had all the quotables. RIP to a real one. — Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) October 30, 2019

Fuckkkk RIP John Witherspoon! Lots of laughs cuz of ya 🙏🏾 — Cozz (@cody_macc) October 30, 2019

Oh man, so sorry to hear about John Witherspoon. A great comic and a class act. Years ago, I had the privileged of working with him and not only was his act hilarious but he would also kill by dropping one of his many unforgettable movie quotes. #RIPJohnWitherspoon #coordinate pic.twitter.com/XsO71EKnGw — Matt "Nickname" Knudsen (@mattknudsen) October 30, 2019

its a fucking john witherspoon marathon at the crib on my fucking momma — Demetrius (@DemetriusHarmon) October 30, 2019

Rest In Peace, John Witherspoon. — quinta brunson (@quintabrunson) October 30, 2019