Renowned film director, screenwriter, and producer John Singleton has reportedly passed away on Monday (April 29), after suffering from a stroke last week, TMZ confirms. He was 51 years old.
Singleton was reportedly admitted to the ICU wing of the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles when his family made the decision to take him off of life support. He suffered a massive stroke on April 17.
“It is with heavy hearts we announce that our beloved son, father, and friend, John Daniel Singleton will be taken off of life support today,” a spokesperson for the family said in a statement to Deadline.
There were previously conflicting reports regarding Singleton’s medical status, as his daughter claimed the stroke was not as bad as the media was reporting.
Singleton’s mother, Sheila Ward, was reportedly in the process of asking a judge to appoint her temporary conservator of his work because he is “unable to properly provide for his personal needs for physical health, food, clothing, or shelter.”
John Singleton launched his career in 1991 with his debut film, Boyz n the Hood, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Ice Cube, and Angela Bassett. At the age of 24, he became the youngest person to ever be nominated for Best Director, and the first African-American to be nominated for the award. His filmography also includes the cult classics, Baby Boy, Poetic Justice, and Higher Learning.
Singleton is survived by five children.