Director John Singleton Dead at 51: Samuel L. Jackson, Rose McGowan, Janelle Monae and More Stars Pay Tribute

Credit: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Director John Singleton Dead at 51: Samuel L. Jackson, Rose McGowan, Janelle Monae and More Stars Pay Tribute

Mourning the loss of a film pioneer. Celebrities including Samuel L. Jackson and Rose McGowan took to social media to remember director John Singleton after he died at the age of 51 on Monday, April 29. “He blazed the trail for many young film makers, always remaining true to who he was & where he came from!!!” Jackson, 70, wrote. McGowan, 45, noted that he made contributions to society on a larger scale, as well: “This is a big loss to the world at large. So smart, insatiably curious, and a cool dude all around,” she tweeted. Us Weekly confirmed that the Boyz n the Hood filmmaker died at an L.A. hospital after suffering a stroke on April 17. “We are sad to relay that John Singleton has died. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends,” the Singleton family told Us in a statement. “We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time.” Earlier on Monday, Singleton’s family released a separate statement announcing their decision to take the screenwriter off life support. “It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off life support today,” a spokesperson told Us. “This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.” [jwplayer kgiGUdgy] TMZ reported that Singleton had gone to the hospital ahead of his stroke after experiencing weakness in his leg. His family confirmed he had experienced a stroke on April 20 with a statement: “On Wednesday, April 17th our beloved son/father, John Singleton, suffered a stroke while at the hospital. We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends and colleagues.” Details about Singleton’s memorial will be provided at a later date. Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson, who worked with Singleton on multiple films including Baby Boy and Four Brothers, visited him in the hospital one day ahead of his passing. “Visited you today,” Henson, 48, wrote on Instagram on Sunday, April 28 .”Me and @tyrese prayed so hard over you. You heard my voice and jumped up.” Scroll through to read more of the sweet tributes stars paid the Academy Award nominee in the wake of his death.

Credit: David Crotty/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Director John Singleton Dead at 51: Samuel L. Jackson, Rose McGowan, Janelle Monae and More Stars Pay Tribute

Mourning the loss of a film pioneer. Celebrities including Samuel L. Jackson and Rose McGowan took to social media to remember director John Singleton after he died at the age of 51 on Monday, April 29. “He blazed the trail for many young film makers, always remaining true to who he was & where he came from!!!” Jackson, 70, wrote. McGowan, 45, noted that he made contributions to society on a larger scale, as well: “This is a big loss to the world at large. So smart, insatiably curious, and a cool dude all around,” she tweeted. Us Weekly confirmed that the Boyz n the Hood filmmaker died at an L.A. hospital after suffering a stroke on April 17. “We are sad to relay that John Singleton has died. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends,” the Singleton family told Us in a statement. “We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time.” Earlier on Monday, Singleton’s family released a separate statement announcing their decision to take the screenwriter off life support. “It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off life support today,” a spokesperson told Us. “This was an agonizing decision, one that our family made, over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.” [jwplayer kgiGUdgy] TMZ reported that Singleton had gone to the hospital ahead of his stroke after experiencing weakness in his leg. His family confirmed he had experienced a stroke on April 20 with a statement: “On Wednesday, April 17th our beloved son/father, John Singleton, suffered a stroke while at the hospital. We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends and colleagues.” Details about Singleton’s memorial will be provided at a later date. Taraji P. Henson and Tyrese Gibson, who worked with Singleton on multiple films including Baby Boy and Four Brothers, visited him in the hospital one day ahead of his passing. “Visited you today,” Henson, 48, wrote on Instagram on Sunday, April 28 .”Me and @tyrese prayed so hard over you. You heard my voice and jumped up.” Scroll through to read more of the sweet tributes stars paid the Academy Award nominee in the wake of his death.

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Samuel L. Jackson

“Mourning the loss of a collaborator & True Friend John Singleton,” the Pulp Fiction actor wrote on Twitter. “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!”

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Viola Davis

"The best life is when we leave a trail. We leave something on this earth bigger than us," Davis tweeted of Singleton. "You inspired a generation of Artists. We will shoulder on....'May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest'. RIP" 

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Rose McGowan

The Charmed alum called Singleton a “gentleman” via Twitter. “John Singleton has died,” she wrote. “This is a big loss to the world at large. So smart, insatiably curious, and a cool dude all around. He took me to lunch twice in the last few years and was truly a gentleman. Thank you for your contributions and I’m so sorry your life was cut short.”

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Ava DuVernay

DuVernay honored her fellow director with a sweet photo of the two sharing a hug on Twitter. "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" 

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Regina King

King shared a throwback photo of herself with the late star. "Rest In Power, my friend," she wrote on Instagram. "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 what you mean to me. Will always love you John! Your spirit will forever shine bright."

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Mayim Bialik

Bialik shared a black-and-white photo of Singleton on Instagram, calling him a "trailblazer and presence." "Not only was he the first African American to be nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards, he was also the youngest at 24. Incredible and inspirational," she wrote.

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Spike Lee

Lee recalled meeting Singleton as a film student at the University of Southern California in the caption of a throwback photo of his late friend on Instagram: "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. 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." 

Lee continued: "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." 

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Jordan Peele

"RIP John Singleton," the Us writer and director tweeted. "So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything."

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Neil deGrasse Tyson

The Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey host likened Singleton’s life to that of a star. “Stars in the universe that burn the brightest, live shorter lives than others,” he tweeted. “And with their high-energy light, they transform all that basks in their luminosity. Farewell John Singleton (1968-2019).”

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Aisha Tyler

Tyler pointed out that Singleton’s impact on the world would be a lasting one. “John Singleton changed so much not just for film audiences, who saw their lives reflected on screen in honest and tender ways, but for filmmakers of color. He broke records, he broke stereotypes, he broke barriers,” she tweeted. “Rest in peace.”

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Juicy J

The rapper shared a text exchange he had with Singleton in 2017 about a Three 6 Mafia biopic. “If this would had happened we would have won another Oscar for Best Picture,” he wrote. “John Singleton is a genius he knew the culture he helped us all I love you bro.”

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Janelle Monáe

The Hidden Figures actress kept her message short but sweet, tweeting, “JOHN SINGLETON . A GENIUS . Thank you for capturing US like no other.”

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Chance the Rapper

The Chicago native honored Singleton on Twitter despite not knowing him personally: “Rest up John Singleton. We never met, but Remember The Time literally changed my life. Thank you so much. God Bless you.”