The passing of trailblazing filmmaker John Singleton sent shockwaves throughout an industry he helped shape. Singleton — who had suffered a stroke less than two weeks ago and was pulled off from life support Monday at the age of 51 — was a true Hollywood pioneer. With Boyz N the Hood, his 1991 debut, he turned his camera on a community then rarely seen on movie screens: the low-income South Central section of Los Angeles. It also made him both the first black filmmaker nominated for the Best Director Oscar, as well as the youngest.
Boyz N the Hood also established a trend that flowed through Singleton’s career: working with incredible actors, some of whom he either discovered or made stars. His first film featured future Oscar winners Cuba Gooding Jr. and Regina King, Ice Cube (in his screen debut), Nia Long, and Morris Chestnut. That’s to say nothing of Laurence Fishburne and a pre-What’s Love Got to Do With It Angela Bassett.
With subsequent films — such as Poetic Justice, Higher Learning, Rosewood, the 2000 remake of Shaft, Baby Boy, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Four Brothers, and more — Singleton was able to amass an incredible stable of actors: Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, Jennifer Connelly, Ving Rhames, Don Cheadle, Esther Rolle, Samuel L. Jackson, Jeffrey Wright, Christian Bale, Tyrese Gibson, Eva Mendes, André Benjamin, Garrett Hedlund, and Mark Wahlberg.
His alumni were among the many who paid tribute to the late filmmaker on the day he passed on into the infinite.
Mourning the loss of a collaborator & True Friend John Singleton. 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!
— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 29, 2019
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. ..Us at Cannes ‘90 pic.twitter.com/CaRKjZtjgB
— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 29, 2019
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https://twitter.com/CourtneyBVance/status/1122993887763619840
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They weren’t alone. Colleagues and admirers, many of whom took inspiration from the way he revolutionized Hollywood, spoke out in his honor.
RIP John Singleton. So sad to hear. John was a brave artist and a true inspiration. His vision changed everything.
— Jordan Peele (@JordanPeele) April 29, 2019
The best life is when we leave a trail. We leave something on this earth bigger than us. John Singleton….you inspired a generation of Artists. We will shoulder on….'May flights of angels sing thee to thy rest". RIP
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) April 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/ava/status/1122965289526792195
Cruel. Not what I want to say right now. But certainly how I feel. Cruel. Just… so cruel.
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) April 29, 2019
#johnsingleton Needless to say we go way, way back… There are no words to convey the absolute loss and sadness I feel right now. John was there for his fellow filmmakers, always. All we had to do was look up and he would be there smiling and applauding our efforts. pic.twitter.com/gpPDQg1dGn
— JulieDash (@JulieDash) April 29, 2019
This is way too sad. The word 'groundbreaker' is thrown around too easily, but it applied to John Singleton, an inspirational, influential film-maker. While he had many accomplishments in TV and film, you felt he had still more surprises up his sleeve. 51 is far too young to go. https://t.co/pyxb11seS7
— edgarwright (@edgarwright) April 29, 2019
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John Singleton, a singular talent, thank you. RIP. #BePeace
— Carl Weathers (@TheCarlWeathers) April 29, 2019
Saddened to hear of your passing @SHAFT6816. A brilliant artist whose gift made room for so many to come after you. Gone too soon. Rest easy 🙏🏾☀️ #RIP #JohnSingleton #GameChanger https://t.co/7v8es9fGh6
— Dulé Hill (@DuleHill) April 29, 2019
https://twitter.com/LenaWaithe/status/1122923531812077572
Sad sad news. Such a good director and so well regarded everywhere he went. We will miss his work and his storytelling voice. RIP #JohnSingleton https://t.co/AIIMQidV8X
— Ron Howard (@RealRonHoward) April 29, 2019
JOHN SINGLETON . A GENIUS .
Thank you for capturing US like no other . 😭🙏🏽🖤— Janelle Monáe👽🚆🤖🚀🪐 (@JanelleMonae) April 29, 2019
