The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder shares statement on John Witherspoon’s passing

The two worked together on The Boondocks and Black Jesus for Adult Swim.

October 31, 2019
<i>The Boondocks</i> creator Aaron McGruder shares statement on John Witherspoon’s passing (L) ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images (R)Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images  

Aaron McGruder, creator of The Boondocks and Black Jesus, has issued a statement to The FADER on the passing of John Witherspoon. The 77-year-old actor, who died yesterday, voiced Robert “Granddad” Freeman on The Boondocks and played Lloyd Hamilton on Black Jesus.

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Read McGruder's statement below:

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John let me borrow his wonderful, magical voice... and now I’ve lost part of my own. I will miss him as both fan and friend.

McGruder and Witherspoon began their collaboration in 2005, when The Boondocks premiered on Adult Swim. Witherspoon's unmistakable voice helped cement the first three seasons of The Boondocks as classics of American animation. The show is set to be rebooted by HBO Max in 2020 with two new seasons and a special.

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Read more tributes to John Witherspoon's life and work here.

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The Boondocks creator Aaron McGruder shares statement on John Witherspoon’s passing