John Witherspoon, an actor and comedian who was best known for his role in the “Friday” movie franchise and also seen on television series including “ The Wayans Bros. ” and “The Tracy Morgan Show,” died on Tuesday at his home in Sherman Oaks, Calif. He was 77.

His family announced the death on his Twitter account.

“Life won’t be as funny without him,” said Ice Cube, who starred with him in the “Friday” movies.

Mr. Witherspoon started out as a stand-up comic at the Comedy Store in Los Angeles in 1974. Mitzi Shore, the owner, made him an M.C. It was a period when other future stars were also starting out there.

“I M.C.’ d the second show,” he recalled last year in a video interview with DJ Vlad. “Dave Letterman M.C.’d the first show.”