JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — John Witherspoo,n who was originally scheduled to perform at Comedy Zone in Jacksonville this week, died at his home in California Tuesday night.
Comedy Zone owner Fred Pozin told Action News Jax Witherspoon attended the club for decades.
Witherspoon started his career in standup, but many people know him as Ice Cube’s grumpy father in the movie "Friday."
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Pozin says Witherspoon was a legend in the entertainment industry and a father figure to many people.
“Bang, bang, bang, yeah that’s John. He was a comic working for us for almost 20 years,” Pozin said.
Pozini says Witherspoon was one of the most respected names in comedy.
“He was just a beautiful man and one I will certainly miss,” explained Pozini.
Witherspoon is no stranger to Jacksonville because he performed here at Comedy Zone many times before.
The owner says his show this week sold out and more than a thousand people bought tickets.
Pozini says now Comedy Zone will refund all tickets to John Witherspoon’s show.
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It also plans to book another act for the same time slots.
“The tickets were in the midst of refunding all of the folks, anytime we have an act that changes, cancels or in this case passes away,” Pozini said.
He’s also known for his roles in “Little Man,” “Black-ish,” “The Boondocks” and "The Tracy Morgan Show."
The owner says people who bought tickets will get their money back within the next three to five days.
Cox Media Group
