How Much is John Witherspoon's Net Worth? Prepare to be Amazed!.

What was John Witherspoon's Net Worth?

John Witherspoon, a well-known American comedian and actor, had a net worth of $4 million at the time of his death in 2019. He gained recognition for his role as Willie Jones in the popular "Friday" film series.

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Early Life

John Witherspoon was born on January 27, 1942, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in a large family of eleven siblings. Originally, their last name was "Weatherspoon," which John later changed to Witherspoon. His older brother, William Weatherspoon, achieved success as a Motown songwriter, composing several hit songs in the 1960s. John collaborated with William on the lyrics for the 1966 hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted." Another sibling, Cato, worked as a director for the PBS-TV network in Detroit. Their sister, Gertrude Stacks, became a renowned pastor in Detroit. Throughout his childhood, Witherspoon developed a passion for music and learned to play the trumpet and French horn.

Career

Witherspoon kickstarted his career as a model in the 1960s and 70s while simultaneously pursuing comedy. He established connections within the comedy industry, befriending notable comedians such as Richard Pryor, Robin Williams, David Letterman, and Jay Leno.

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His television debut occurred in 1970 on the CBS series "Barnaby Jones," which paved the way for appearances on popular shows like "Good Times," "What's Happening," and "The Incredible Hulk." Witherspoon became a regular cast member on "The Richard Pryor Show" in 1977, gaining further exposure. Throughout the 1980s and 90s, he appeared in numerous television series, including "Hill Street Blues," "L.A. Law," "You Again?," and "What's Happening Now!". In 1988, Witherspoon played a significant role in "Amen," a sitcom that stood out for featuring an almost entirely black cast during the 1980s.

Witherspoon made his film debut in 1980's "The Jazz Singer" and went on to star in notable films like "Hollywood Shuffle" (1987), "I'm Gonna Get You Sucka" (1988), "Houseparty" (1990), and "Boomerang" (1992) alongside Eddie Murphy. His memorable and comedic character in "Houseparty" portrayed an irritated neighbor constantly disturbed by parties. Witherspoon also appeared in films like "Vampire in Brooklyn" and "The Meteor Man," further diversifying his portfolio. However, his breakout role came in 1995 when he starred in "Friday," a stoner buddy comedy written by Ice Cube and directed by F. Gary Gray. The film's success propelled Witherspoon into the spotlight, and he reprised his role in the sequels "Next Friday" and "Friday After Next."

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In addition to his television and film career, John Witherspoon appeared in several music videos, including Jay-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" and Field Mob's "Sick of Being Lonely." He rekindled his passion for comedy in March 2008 and embarked on a comedy tour that was later aired on the Showtime Network. Witherspoon continued performing live stand-up comedy shows across the country.

Personal Life and Death

John Witherspoon was married to Angela Robinson from 1988 until his passing in 2019. Together, they had two children named John David ("J.D.") and Alexander. Interestingly, David Letterman, Witherspoon's close friend, became the godfather to both children. Witherspoon tragically died from a heart attack at his residence in Sherman Oaks, California, on October 29, 2019, at the age of 77. He was laid to rest at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, California.

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