Age of The Nerd
John Singleton (Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)
Oscar-nominated director John Singleton has died. Singleton had been on life support at Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, CA after suffering a stroke. He was 51.
Despite reports early Monday morning that the famed writer, director, and producer had died, Singleton’s spokewoman Shannon Bar confirmed to USA Today that he was alive and “still on life support.” She added that any report to the contrary “is inaccurate.”
Later Monday morning, Singleton’s family confirmed to Fox News that they had taken him off life support. They said it was an “agonizing decision” that they made “over a number of days, with the careful counsel of John’s doctors.” The family of Singleton released a full statement about him.
“John Singleton is a prolific, ground-breaking director who changed the game and opened doors in Hollywood, a world that was just a few miles away, yet worlds away, from the neighborhood in which he grew up.
John loved nothing more than giving opportunities to new talent and his films came to be known for career-making roles with actors who the industry would come to embrace; talents such as Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Ice Cube, Tyrese and Taraji P. Henson.
We are grateful to his fans, friends and colleagues for the outpour of love and prayers during this incredibly difficult time. We want to thank all the doctors at Cedars Sinai for the impeccable care he received.”
On April 20, Singleton’s family revealed that he had suffered a stroke on April 17. “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,” they said in a statement.
Singleton is best known for writing and directing the 1991 breakout film Boyz n the Hood. The movie earned him two Oscar nominations, making him the youngest best director and first black nominee in the category. Singleton’s also directed Poetic Justice (1993), Higher Learning (1995), Rosewood (1997), Shaft (2000), Baby Boy (2001), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), and Four Brothers (2005).
Singleton is also a noted writer and producer. He produced the hit films Hustle & Flow (2005) and Black Snake Moan (2006), among others. He created the television series Snowfall, which premiered on FX in 2017. Season three of the hit show premieres later this year. Singleton is also an executive producer on the BET series Rebel.
