Actors, musicians and fans came together to grieve and celebrate the life of director and screenwriter John Singleton after news of his death on Monday (April 29).
Singleton directed the critically acclaimed 1991 film Boyz N the Hood in his early 20s and became the first African-American and youngest person ever to be nominated for the Academy Award for best director. He later went on to helm films like Poetic Justice and 2 Fast 2 Furious and most recently co-created the crime drama Snowfall in 2017.
The groundbreaking and beloved director died after after he was taken off life support, about two weeks after suffering a major stroke. He was 51.
See below for reactions from the community.
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
Thank you for everything! —— pic.twitter.com/0PhjcNe9su
— DJ POOH (@DJPooh) April 29, 2019
He shook the world with his vision and made Boys in The Hood at 23 A man of Integrity and A Class act
A great director
Condolences to his family
R.I.P. https://t.co/QH8WsomAQo— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) April 29, 2019
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
RIP to my dear friend and brother #JohnSingleton. —- pic.twitter.com/nktdwJ5RzO
— Mark Wahlberg (@markwahlberg) 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
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
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 29, 2019
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. Kind. Committed. And immensely talented. His films broke ground. His films mattered. He will be missed. And long remembered. Thank you, John. #RunIntoHisArms pic.twitter.com/wKfOaCGFuA
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 29, 2019
JOHN SINGLETON . A GENIUS .
Thank you for capturing US like no other . ——–— Janelle Monáe, Cindi (@JanelleMonae) April 29, 2019
This is me & john Singleton on text in 2017 talking about doing a three six mafia biopic If this would had happened we would have won another Oscar for Best Picture John Singleton is a genius he knew the culture he helped us all I love you bro pic.twitter.com/yYo62kOSdv
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) 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 Owbum — (@chancetherapper) 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
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
Cookie and I are deeply saddened to hear about the untimely passing of our friend and outstanding filmmaker John Singleton.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) 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
Saddened to hear of your passing @SHAFT6816. A brilliant artist whose gift made room for so many to come after you. Gone too soon. Rest easy —-?? #RIP #JohnSingleton #GameChanger https://t.co/7v8es9fGh6
— Dulé Hill (@DuleHill) April 29, 2019
Another brilliant voice silenced much too soon. My heart goes out to John Singleton’s family and friends. His vision broke barriers that will we will not soon forget. “Director John Singleton has died after being taken off of life support” https://t.co/1vPpCj9iGW
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) April 29, 2019