Oscar-nominated writer and director, John Singleton, has died at age 51.
A family source told Fox News yesterday that he died “peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends after being taken off life support machine.”
Singleton had been in a coma following a stroke 12 days earlier.
His family had previously revealed the medical episode, but few details had been made available about the seriousness of his condition.
Reacting to Singleton’s death, US rapper and actor, Ice Cube wrote on his twitter handle: “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.”
DAILY POST reports that John Singleton’s films were known for discovering and showcasing relatively unknown talents who the global film industry would come to embrace; such as Tupac Shakur, Regina King, Cuba Gooding Jr., Terrence Howard, Ice Cube, Tyrese and Taraji P. Henson.
Singleton received Oscar nominations in 1992 for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director for “Boyz N the Hood,” which he wrote, directed and produced in his early 20s, just out of the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts.
At 24 years old, Singleton became both the first black director to receive an Oscar nomination and the youngest Best Director nominee in Oscar History.
His other work includes “Poetic Justice,” starring Janet Jackson, and the FX crime drama “Snowfall,” an exploration of the rise of crack cocaine in his hometown of Los Angeles.
He also made the coming-of-age story “Baby Boy,” a remake of the action film “Shaft” and an installment in the “Fast and Furious” franchise, “2 Fast 2 Furious.”
Singleton was married twice and had five children. Besides his career in movies, Singleton also directed the video for Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time,” which included Eddie Murphy and Magic Johnson.
