Boyz N The Hood and 2 Fast 2 Furious director John Singleton has died at the age of 51.
The acclaimed Oscar-nominated director, writer and producer suffered a stroke on April 17, and was subsequently admitted to the intensive care unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
His family confirmed in a statement earlier today (April 29) that he would be taken off of life support. “It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today,” a statement issued by the family to Deadline reads. “This was an agonising decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.”
Singleton’s family have now issued a further statement confirming his death. “We are sad to relay that John Singleton has died. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends.
“We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time.”
Singleton was also well-recognised for his work directing such films as Poetic Justice, Shaft and Rosewood. He also co-created the TV show Snowfall.
Tributes are being paid to Singleton from across the entertainment world and beyond on social media.
Posting on Twitter, Chance The Rapper wrote: “Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember The Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you.”
RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) April 29, 2019
Mourning the loss of a collaborator & True Friend John Singleton. He blazed the trail for many young film makers, always remaining true to who he was & where he came from!!! RIP Brother. Gone Way Too Soon!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 29, 2019
Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember The Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 29, 2019
Tributes also came from Snoop Dogg, who wrote on Instagram: “Thank you for all that you gave to the world the movies the messages the opportunities to so many people like myself to grace the big screen in a major role with major black actors you were and will allways be black excellence love you for life and beyond.”
Deeply saddened by this news… a great friend to me… he pushed me into acting and gave me my first role… always was in my corner… i cant express how much this hurts #ripjohnsingleton pic.twitter.com/TBNqJY5fSP
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) April 29, 2019
John Singleton was a talented director and a kind man. He died too young. He will be missed.
— John Carpenter (@TheHorrorMaster) April 29, 2019
The youngest-ever Best Director nominee and an inspiration to us all. John Singleton, you will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/cMWrDz9633
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) April 29, 2019
Rest In Power, my friend. One of the greatest to ever do it. Thank you GOD for blessing us with this gift better known as John Singleton. Having trouble finding enough words to share just… https://t.co/SlQGwDEHU7
— Regina King (@ReginaKing) April 29, 2019
JOHN SINGLETON . A GENIUS .
Thank you for capturing US like no other . ????— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) April 29, 2019
For me it’s A very sad day in all reality. We Love you John Singleton and appreciate all you’ve done and will continue to do through your art.
— RZA! (@RZA) April 29, 2019
John Singleton sparkles in the night sky
A singular ray of bright color#JohnSingleton https://t.co/nSD8ea36DE— Greg Proops (@GregProops) April 29, 2019
#johnsingleton Needless to say we go way, way back… There are no words to convey the absolute loss and sadness I feel right now. John was there for his fellow filmmakers, always. All we had to do was look up and he would be there smiling and applauding our efforts. pic.twitter.com/gpPDQg1dGn
— JulieDash (@JulieDash) April 29, 2019
Damn RIP to the legend John Singleton, made one of my all time favorite movies Baby Boy.
— Doms (@DamierGenesis) April 29, 2019
Stars in the universe that burn the brightest, live shorter lives than others. And with their high-energy light, they transform all that basks in their luminosity. Farewell John Singleton (1968-2019).
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) April 29, 2019
This is way too sad. The word 'groundbreaker' is thrown around too easily, but it applied to John Singleton, an inspirational, influential film-maker. While he had many accomplishments in TV and film, you felt he had still more surprises up his sleeve. 51 is far too young to go. https://t.co/pyxb11seS7
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) April 29, 2019
Condolences to the family of John Singleton. A prodigy, a visionary, a trailblazer who made a huge impact on our culture. Let us mourn his passing as we celebrate his life, work and legacy #RestInPower https://t.co/dLDCFwcX2U pic.twitter.com/V6blGXWvnX
— Phil LaMarr (@phillamarr) April 29, 2019