Trailblazing Filmmaker John Singleton Passed Away at Age 51

John Singleton broke boundaries with his debut film Boyz n the Hood and paved the way for countless young filmmakers who followed in his footsteps. He passed away at the age 51, leaving behind an everlasting legacy through his rich filmography.

According to the official statement released by his family, Singleton passed away peacefully, at the Cedars-Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles. He suffered a stroke on April 17, and his family made a difficult decision to remove him from life support 13 days later.

Their statement described John Singleton as “prolific, ground-breaking director who changed the game and opened doors in Hollywood” – not only for himself but other actors and filmmakers who dreamed about being a part of this world.

“John loved nothing more than giving opportunities to new talent and his films came to be known for career-making roles with actors who the industry would come to embrace.”

Singleton got his big break with 1991 film Boyz n the Hood, which transformed him into the first African-American filmmaker to ever receive a nomination for best director at the Oscars. His filmography also featured Poetic Justice, Shaft and 2 Fast 2 Furious, proving his talent to excel in many different genres over the course of the last three decades.