Celebrities are remembering John Singleton following his death Monday.
The Oscar-nominated director/producer/writer behind 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood” died after being taken off life support following a stroke this month, the Associated Press reported Monday.
Singleton, 51, quickly became a trending topic on Twitter, as well as “Poetic Justice,” his 1993 film starring Janet Jackson, as thousands of condolences poured in.
“You gave me my first movie role, my first Oscar nomination (for original song) and so much more,” Jackson wrote on Instagram, captioning a photo of her with Singleton. “Thank you for all you have given to the world through your work and all you have done for Black culture, women and young filmmakers. I will miss you John. Keeping your family in my prayers.”
Former President Barack Obama offered condolences to Singleton’s family on Twitter.
“His seminal work, Boyz n the Hood, remains one of the most searing, loving portrayals of the challenges facing inner-city youth. He opened doors for filmmakers of color to tell powerful stories that have been too often ignored.”
Ice Cube, who made his big-screen debut as Darrin “Doughboy” Baker in “Boyz n the Hood,” said he has “no words to express how sad I am to lose my brother, friend & mentor.”
“I was discovered by a master filmmaker by the name of John Singleton. He not only made me a movie star but made me a filmmaker,” he tweeted.
Morris Chestnut, who starred as Ricky Baker in “Boyz n the Hood,” said Singleton “gave me a chance.”
“John Singleton, thank you for your vision. Thank you for holding my hand a little stronger,” he wrote. “Thank you for connecting with me and thank you for connecting me to history. Thank you for connecting and transcending generations, nationalities, nations, races, communities, societies. Thank you, John Singleton, for connecting us all.”
Halle Berry called Singleton an “innovator” in an Instagram post, writing that his death left her heartbroken.
“He came to us with so much drive and clear creative vision in a time when people of color didn’t have the visibility in cinema that we do today,” she wrote. “He is and will always remain a beacon of light in our community, and today we celebrate the incredible legacy he left and the cultural contributions he has made. Rest well my friend, we’ve lost one of the good guys.”
“I’m shocked to hear that John Singleton is gone,” Barbra Streisand tweeted. “I was so pleased that he asked me to sign for him to get into the Directors Guild. I was honored to do so. RIP John.”
Chris Rock reminisced on the first time he met Singleton in the late ’80s, and how he knew the director was destined for greatness.
“So sad to hear about John. I met him way before he did ‘Boys in the Hood,'” Rock wrote on Instagram. “He had more drive then (sic) anybody I’ve ever met. The first time I met him in 1988 he told me everything he was gonna do in his career including the Oscar nomination and every movie after that and it all came true. It’s sad to see him go cause he was such a cool dude and he had a few more things on his list.”
Nia Long, who portrayed Brandi in “Boyz n the Hood,” wrote, “We were fearless kids making a movie and telling your story. You saw my special first. You made us believe…then they believed. You changed Hollywood, created stars and knocked down doors. Without your contributions, your vision, your voice, your laugh, your fist pumps and bumps….where would we be? Where would I be? Thank you for loving everything black and pushing the culture forward. I will miss you dearly and love you forever.”
Regina King, her “Boyz N the Hood” co-star who would go on to win an Oscar in 2019, wrote on Instagram that she’s “having trouble finding enough words to share just what (Singleton) mean to me.”
“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,” she wrote alongside several pictures of the pair. “Will always love you John! Your spirit will forever shine bright.”
More: Oscar-nominated director John Singleton dies at 51 following stroke
Spike Lee, who won his first Oscar this year for writing “BlacKkKlansman,”
recalled the first time he met Singleton.
Lee wrote, “We Met While He Was A Film Student At USC. Over Many Years People Have Told Me ‘I’m Going To Be A Filmmaker,’ When John Said That To Me The 1st Time We Met, I Believed Him Right Away.”
He continued: “It Was No Surprise. With His Passion, His Heart, The Way He Talked About His Love For Cinema And Black Folks I Could See John Would Make It Happen, And He Did. From Day One, We Have Remained Close Over The Decades, Cheering Each Other On In This Industry That Is Not Set Up For Us To Win. John Singleton’s Films Will Live On Forever. Blessings And Prayers For His Family. May John Rest In Power. Amen.
Oscar winner Viola Davis tweeted her condolences, writing, “The best life is when we leave a trail. We leave something on this earth bigger than us. John Singleton….you inspired a generation of Artists. We will shoulder on….’May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest”. RIP”
“Mourning the loss of a collaborator & True Friend John Singleton,” Samuel L. Jackson tweeted Monday. “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!”
More: Appreciation: How John Singleton’s stunning, singular ‘Boyz N the Hood’ changed Hollywood
Oscar-nominated director Jordan Peele said Singleton’s “vision changed everything,” adding that John was “a brave artist and a true inspiration.”
Fellow director Ava DuVernay shared a picture of her and Singleton embracing.
“There aren’t many of us out here doing this. It’s a small tribe in the grand scheme of things. He was a giant among us,” she wrote. “Kind. Committed. And immensely talented. His films broke ground. His films mattered. He will be missed. And long remembered. Thank you, John.”
Acclaimed director John Singleton’s stroke: African-Americans face greater risk
Rapper Snoop Dogg, who starred in Singleton’s 2001 film “Baby Boy,” described him as the epitome of “black excellence.”
“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,” he wrote. “You were and will allways (sic) be black excellence love you for life and beyond.”
Screenwriter and actress Lena Waithe said “this one cuts deep,” adding that “you’ll never be forgotten. Cause your work will live on.”
Janelle Monáe called Singleton a “GENIUS.” She added, “Thank you for capturing US like no other.”
Magic Johnson added, “Cookie and I are deeply saddened to hear about the untimely passing of our friend and outstanding filmmaker John Singleton.”
The Academy remembered Singleton as the “youngest-ever Best Director nominee and an inspiration to us all.”
Singleton was nominated for two Oscars for 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood,” becoming not only the youngest best director nominee, but the first black person nominated for the same award.
President of the Directors Guild of America, Thomas Schlamme, Singleton’s fellow executive producer on the TV series “Snowfall,” said he observed “first-hand the enormous impact (Singleton) had on so many.”
“John didn’t just make his feature film debut in 1991 with ‘Boyz n the Hood,’ he exploded into Hollywood, our culture and our consciousness with such a powerful cinematic depiction of life in the inner city,” Schlamme’s statement read. “For the next three decades, John’s career as a film director flourished with such culturally resonant films ranging from ‘Poetic Justice’ and ‘Rosewood’ to ‘Shaft’ and ‘2 Fast 2 Furious.’ His expansion into television was no less powerful…”
Reflecting on Singleton’s involvement with the guild, Schlamme said: “Our hearts are heavier today at the DGA, as we mourn this tremendous loss.”
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said, “John Singleton was a great director and storyteller who was never afraid to show African Americans in complex, multidimensional roles. We hope that his legacy will inspire a new generation of filmmakers to turn a positive and progressive lens toward minorities in this country.”
