Samuel L. Jackson and John Singleton pictured together in 2007. Photo / Getty Images
Hollywood's finest have taken to social media to express their grief and share their condolences after the death of trailblazing director John Singleton, who has passed away after a major stroke at 51 years old.
Singleton made one of Hollywood's most memorable debuts with the Oscar-nominated Boyz N the Hood and continued over the following decades to probe the lives of black communities in his native Los Angeles and beyond.
Singleton's family said Monday that he died in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, after being taken off life support.
Singleton's passing has prompted widespread praise for a filmmaker who, as his Shaft star Samuel L. Jackson said, "blazed the trail for many young film makers," while "always remaining true to who he was and where he came from."
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
Singleton's fellow directors of colour were among those speaking out, with Spike Lee posting: "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."
While Jordan Peele added: "RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything."
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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
Barry Jenkins could only muse on how "cruel" Singleton's passing was, adding that was "Not what I want to say right now. But certainly how I feel. Cruel. Just... so cruel".
Meanwhile Ava DuVernay mused: "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."
Cruel. Not what I want to say right now. But certainly how I feel. Cruel. Just... so cruel.
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) 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
Many other celebrities posted tributes to the late director, including Regina King and Morris Chestnut who starred in Boyz N The Hood.
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
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
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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
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
John Singleton, for me, will always stand both in the great canon of American directors, but also as an example of what it means to put your people on and elevate the game at the same time.
— brittany packnett cunningham does not do remixes. (@MsPackyetti) April 29, 2019
John Singleton was a gem, an artist, and a gift to us. Thank you. Rest in power.
RIP John Singleton, whose films poignantly depicted, humanized & articulated the beauty & struggle of S. Central & L.A. life as well as anyone. The best filmmaker of the hip hop generation, a creator of vivid 3-dimensional characters whose work eternally defined a place & time. pic.twitter.com/7zOpDRwldK
— Otto Von Biz Markie (@Passionweiss) April 29, 2019
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"I learned that no one was going to write the films I wanted to do except for me." - John Singleton
— W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 29, 2019
If you weren't there in the 90's you've no idea how revolutionary Boyz n the Hood was. It kicked open a door that Black artists are still walking through. https://t.co/1AwlJRzjHy
John is admired for putting a lot of people of color to work throughout his career. Our prayers are with his children and family members. He will be sorely missed.
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) April 29, 2019