Director John Singleton — best known for films such as Boyz n the Hood, Shaft and 2 Fast 2 Furious — has now died. Following false reports the filmmaker had passed away earlier today, his family has now confirmed he was taken off life support. Singleton was 51.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton passed away today due to complications from a stroke he suffered last Wednesday," a statement from his family reads.
"John Singleton was a prolific, groundbreaking director who changed the game and opened doors in Hollywood, a world that was just a few miles away, yet worlds away, from the neighbourhood in which he grew up."
It continued: "In his private life, John was a loving and supporting father, son, brother and friend who believed in higher education, black culture, old school music and the power of film. John's confidence in his place in Hollywood was only matched for his passion for the sea. John kayaked in Marina Del Rey every morning. His greatest joy, when not on set, was sailing on his boat, J's Dream, up and down the Pacific Coast."
Last week, Singleton's mother revealed the director was in a coma after suffering a stroke on April 17, though his daughter said his health was improving.
Singleton's debut film was 1991's Boyz n the Hood, and it earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director. At 24, he became the youngest person to receive a Best Director nomination, as well as the first African-American to receive the nomination.
His other film credits include Poetic Justice, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Four Brothers and Abduction.
Recently, he directed episodes for Empire, American Crime Story and Rebel. He was also the creator, executive producer and director of Snowfall, which was recently renewed for a third season on FX.
"It is with heavy hearts that we announce that our beloved son, father and friend, John Daniel Singleton passed away today due to complications from a stroke he suffered last Wednesday," a statement from his family reads.
"John Singleton was a prolific, groundbreaking director who changed the game and opened doors in Hollywood, a world that was just a few miles away, yet worlds away, from the neighbourhood in which he grew up."
It continued: "In his private life, John was a loving and supporting father, son, brother and friend who believed in higher education, black culture, old school music and the power of film. John's confidence in his place in Hollywood was only matched for his passion for the sea. John kayaked in Marina Del Rey every morning. His greatest joy, when not on set, was sailing on his boat, J's Dream, up and down the Pacific Coast."
Last week, Singleton's mother revealed the director was in a coma after suffering a stroke on April 17, though his daughter said his health was improving.
Singleton's debut film was 1991's Boyz n the Hood, and it earned him Academy Award nominations for Best Original Screenplay and Best Director. At 24, he became the youngest person to receive a Best Director nomination, as well as the first African-American to receive the nomination.
His other film credits include Poetic Justice, Shaft, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Four Brothers and Abduction.
Recently, he directed episodes for Empire, American Crime Story and Rebel. He was also the creator, executive producer and director of Snowfall, which was recently renewed for a third season on FX.
