John Witherspoon (February 5, 1723 - November 15, 1794) was a signatory of the United States Declaration of Independence as a representative of New Jersey. He was the only active clergyman or college president to sign the Declaration.
John Witherspoon (born January 27, 1942) is an American comedy actor known for his roles in Hollywood Shuffle (1987), Boomerang (1992), Murder Was The Case (1994), Friday (1995), Vampire In Brooklyn (1995) and the 1990s WB sitcom The Wayans Bros. John was born in Detroit, Michigan and has also been known as Johnny Witherspoon and Detroit John. He started as a fashion model for various catalogs. He has combined a career as a stand-up comic with appearances on television and films. Most of his roles in movies have been as humorously cantankerous characters as seen in Boomerang, House Party and the Friday series.
His recent roles include Robert "Granddad" Freeman in the animated television show The Boondocks. Witherspoon's most recent television appearance was as a blue-suited pimp on Carlos Mencia's May 6th episode of Mind of Mencia.
Witherspoon appeared in Jay-Z's video for "I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me)" and in Field Mob's music video for "Sick of Being Lonely". He can be seen in Hitman Sammy Sam's video "Step Daddy" as Stepdaddy #1.
Witherspoon was interviewed on Space Ghost Coast to Coast but the interview never aired, although the interview is quickly glimpsed on Episode 60: "Lawsuit", When Space Ghost is looking for a lawyer. He also starred in the film Little Man along with the Wayans brothers (Shawn and Marlon) and made a small appearance in 2000 film Little Nicky.
Witherspoon's longtime friend David Letterman is the godfather to his son, David. His brother, William Weatherspoon, wrote the Motown hit "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted". Witherspoon is a cousin of Lamont Dozier.In 2008 John Will be in the Aqua Teen Hunger Force in the episode Who The Hell Is Mike Jones
Was a fashion model in Detroit.
Brother of William Weatherspoon, a songwriter and producer for Motown Records ("What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted").
He's the cousin of famous singer songwriter of the 60s, and nationally known music producer and engineer Lamont and Reggie Dozier.
Is very close friends with David Letterman
The only character, other than Ice Cube, to appear in all three "Friday movies.
