Influential Director John Singleton Passes Away
'You inspired a generation of artists.'
Influential filmmaker John Singleton is confirmed to have passed away on Monday at the age of 51.
As NBC News reports, the Academy Award-nominated director died due to complications from a stroke he suffered two weeks ago.
Singleton's family confirmed he "passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends" in a statement.
He was perhaps best known for his 1991 directorial debut Boyz N The Hood, starring Ice Cube in his first feature, which saw Singleton score nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay at the 1992 Oscars.
At 24, Singleton became the youngest person to ever be nominated for Best Director and the first African American to be nominated for the award.
"He not only made me a movie star but made me a filmmaker," Ice Cube tweeted today.
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"There are no words to express how sad I am to lose my brother, friend & mentor."
Other notable works directed by Singleton include the film clip to Michael Jackson's 1992 track, Remember The Time, as well as 1993's Poetic Justice starring Janet Jackson and Tupac Shakur, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious and 2001's Baby Boy which featured Snoop Dogg.
Most recently, Singleton created and worked as executive producer on FX crime drama series, Snowfall, which was confirmed to return for a third season in September last year.
As well as Ice Cube, names including Samuel L Jackson, Viola Davis and Halle Berry have paid tribute to Singleton.
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. There are no words to express how sad I am to lose my brother, friend & mentor. He loved bring the black experience to the world. ..Us at Cannes ‘90 pic.twitter.com/CaRKjZtjgB
— Ice Cube (@icecube) 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
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
Farewell my filmmaking friend! Your Boyz story and your laser disc commentary inspired me back before I shot my first film. You made me believe I might be able to be like you: heard. Thank you for leading, John. Wish we had one last chance to talk comics again... #JohnSingleton pic.twitter.com/jZvCxNIIsw
— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) April 29, 2019
27 years ago, I was newly landed in Hollywood and got to visit my already legendary filmmaking hero John Singleton on the set of Poetic Justice. He took the time off from set to talk, offer words of encouragement, and told me to work from the heart. Rest in peace, John. pic.twitter.com/mZe0guejvv
— Robert Rodriguez (@Rodriguez) April 29, 2019
#JohnSingleton was an innovator - he came with drive & a creative vision when people of color didn’t have the same visibility we do now. He will remain a beacon of light in our community, and today we celebrate his legacy. Rest well my friend, we’ve lost one of the good guys.❤️🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/U3FhJkdRhC
— Halle Berry (@halleberry) April 29, 2019
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