John Singleton in coma after major stroke

By Sandra Rose  | 

John Singleton's medical condition is more serious than initially reported. The pioneering Black film director and screenwriter initially suffered a "mild" stroke after returning on a flight from Costa Rico on Wednesday, April 17.

Singleton, 51, went to a Los Angeles hospital after experiencing weakness in his legs. While at the hospital he suffered a stroke and was admitted to the hospital's intensive care unit.

American gossip blogger B. Scott first reported the news on Saturday.

In a statement, the family reported Singleton was receiving "great medical care" in an intensive care unit. That was an early indication that Singleton's stroke was more serious than first reported. It means he is on life support and a ventilator machine is supporting his breathing and removing carbon dioxide from his blood.

On Wednesday, Singleton's mother, Sheila Ward, filed a request asking to become a temporary conservator of her son's estate since he is incapable of making decisions "while he is incapacitated."

Singleton was nominated for an Oscar for the movie Boyz in the Hood (1991), making him the youngest person ever nominated for Best Director. He was also the first Black man to be nominated when he was honored at the Academy Awards in 1992.

Singleton also directed the movies Baby Boy (2001), starring Tyrese Gibson (pictured), Poetic Justice (1993), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), and Shaft (2000), among other films.

Singleton has four grown children and 2 ex-wives, including Ghanaian actress Akosua Busia and Tosha Lewis. He is pictured in 2007 with one of his daughters and his son Maasai Singleton, now 25.

In 2014, Singleton criticized Hollywood for refusing to let Black people direct Black-themed movies.

"They want black people to be who they want them to be, as opposed to what they are. The black films now — so-called black films now — they're great. They're great films. But they're just product. They're not moving the bar forward creatively. When you try to make it homogenized, when you try to make it appeal to everybody, then you don't have anything that's special."

Celebrities and fans paid tribute to Singleton on social media when the news broke on Saturday morning.

"Pray for my brother John Singleton,” tweeted Snoop Dogg, who is pictured with Singleton and legendary NFL star Jim Brown.

"Praying hard this morning for my friend @johnsingleton PULL THROUGH BABY," actress Nia Long tweeted.

Actor Omar Epps tweeted, "Prayers up for @SHAFT6816 .. Pull thru brother! The world needs your voice and vision. Prayers up for your family as well".
 

Photos by Vince Bucci/Getty Images, Nicky Nelson/WENN.com, FayesVision/WENN.com, Jody Cortes/WENN, PNP/WENN, Brian To/WENN.com

  • Yoni7

    Pull through, Mr. Singleton! You are a light!

  • Yoni7

    Although I've never watched the movie, am I the only one that thought he played the character Candyman? https://media0.giphy.com/media/sm8D4VgRYRmE/giphy.gif

  • ~~eb

    I was wondering what his status was this morning. Man, I hope he pulls through.

  • Jordan’s Memory

    This is terrible! a Stroke is a very serious condition. Prayers for you John. keep fighting!

  • Topic Influencer

    2019 is determined to try to take John Singleton. Keep fighting sir. Keep fighting.

  • TriniHarlem

    Sad by this. For personal reasons I love all of our black directors, producers etc. truly changed a young mind of mine back then. Pull through ?

  • Yardgirl

    I always saw the similarities too!!

  • Yardgirl

    The minute I hear stroke I knew it was bad. Prayers sir and God Speed!!

  • KcoolMuziq

    This really hurts my heart. Because it was a dream come true to work with John & he was everything I expected him to be. I figured it was more serious than the family let on. Because NOBODY stays in the hospital more than a day or two anymore unless it's a dire situation. Especially in ICU.

    This year is turning into a complete nightmare.

  • Topic Influencer

    Singleton also directed the movies Baby Boy (2001), starring Tyrese Gibson (pictured), Poetic Justice (1993), 2 Fast 2 Furious (2003), and Shaft (2000), among other films.
    ^^^^
    My two faves of his not even listed.

    Higher Learning and Four Brothers.

  • TRUTHbeabsolute

    We are only in this lifetime for just a moment in time. Peace be unto you Mr. Singleton.

  • Topic Influencer

    Higher Learning changed my young mind too. They all did. But that movie came out the end of my senior year in high school. Spoke to me.

  • KcoolMuziq

    Also he directed an episode of 'The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story'.

  • Yoni7

    It's like are they related somewhere along the line? Like Avant and r. kelly. https://media2.giphy.com/media/hnNCSpj9Qh9VS/giphy.gif

  • Topic Influencer

    I never watched all of that but Im sure it was dope.

  • LYRICS

    Me too?? My granny's pastor suffered a stroke almost 3 yrs ago, he's still in a coma ??

  • deadellamore

    Praying for John to pull through. It is never over until God says so and calls him home.

  • Kanyade

    Spike got me in the cinematic feels with Do the Right Thing. It seemed in the 90s there was an explosion of young, black directors: John Singleton, Julie Dash, F. Gary Gray, the Hughes Brothers, etc.

  • Yoni7

    *hangs head in shame*
    Never watched it.

  • Yardgirl

    Yesss!!

  • Topic Influencer

    the Hughes Brothers
    ^^^^^
    Their movie Dead Presidents came out same year as John's Higher Learning. Both my absolute shat.

  • TriniHarlem

    Idgaf what people say about Spike he literally changed my whole thinking of what I wanted to do and how I needed to be viewed. I got into directing because of them.

  • Yardgirl

    Oh no!! Being in a coma that long has to be grueling on the family, he there but no really. Sads.

  • Kanyade

    Four Brothers<-------
    LOVE THIS FILM. Chiewtol Eifgor (yeah it's misspelled), loved him as villain

  • TriniHarlem

    That movie reinforced that I needed to do that in college. Meet him at my college and was hyped

  • Kim’s Original Face

    Come on John pull through.

    I am still not over Nipsey passing away. This is tew much

    Prayers all the way up for him and his family.

  • Ms. Cree

    Prayers up.

  • TriniHarlem

    Sis just when I thought we had a true bond ??????

  • Topic Influencer

    I got a copy. Should send it to you. A LOT of gems in that movie. There is a John Singleton 4 pack at Wally. Used to be. Dub24 got that one, Baby Boy, Boyz In The Hood, and Poetic Justice as a set.

  • Yardgirl

    Yes!! I am for every single one of them!! They have truly changed my life with their movies. Before them, all you saw were white faces, even white faces in roles that should have gone to Black actors. I am grateful for the representation.

  • Yoni7

    WOW!
    My mom had a stroke almost a month ago. All praises to The Almighty, she made a full recovery! People have to know that something like this "changes things" dramatically. I pray for a turnaround healing.

  • TriniHarlem

    Dead presidents still one of my faves. Larenz boy whoo chile

  • Yardgirl

    Sorry to hear that mom had a stroke but am happy that she is OK!!

  • Topic Influencer

    Its in my top 5 for SURE. YES he was fine in that one. SHEW!! Chris Tucker, N'Bushe Wright FINE AYS, Keith David. A VERY young Terrance Howard. Bokeem played another crazy in that movie. LAWD

  • Yoni7

    Now I HAVE watched all three of those. LOL *can't take my hood card just yet* LOL

  • Michelle Peele

    Didn't he direct Rosewood with Don Cheadle, Ving Thames and Elise Neal...that's one of my favorite movies

  • iWasteTime

    Four Brothers is the ish!! I watch it every time its on

  • Yoni7
  • Topic Influencer

    Yep. Rosewood is his too. I cant watch that one on repeat. Few times was surely enough for me. I think that was Esther Rolle (Florida Evans) last movie too.

  • Topic Influencer

    It was on LAST WEEK!

  • LYRICS

    Thank God! ??????

  • Vonn

    Glad your mother made a full recovery.

  • Yoni7

    A VERY young Terrance Howard. Bokeem played another crazy
    _____________
    Hence why I never been a fan because they ALWAYS play the villain. I hated Bokeem in Jason's Lyric. LOL And Terrance has played too many villains that I couldn't even appreciate him when he DID play a good role. LOL

  • Michelle Peele

    That Fannie Mae Taylor was something else!!! I watched that movie a couple of times. Even looked for the area when I lived in Florida

  • TriniHarlem

    Sooooo I've had a crush on Keith David since then and idk whyyyy ??. I literally brought the colourpop Dr. Facilier Disney villains collection because he was the character. Idk whhhhyyyyyy that's my old man crush ???

  • Yoni7

    Thank you.

  • TriniHarlem

    Also Bokeem plays crazy too well lol. I like him though

  • Yoni7

    Thank you so much!

  • Topic Influencer

    He looked like a straight up TEENAGER in that movie. Last time I seen it I was like DAMN he looks young as HELL. Bokeem is on my new limited shows I been binging on--Unsolved. JUST started watching it on Tuesday when I got back, at the recomm. of one of my cousins.

  • Yoni7

    Does he play a bad guy?

  • Vonn

    He plays crazy so well, I'm convinced he really is crazy...and not acting.

  • Topic Influencer

    He is from Harlem lol. Yes he DOES play crazy good lol. My fave role of his, he not eem speaking. Can't Get Right/Life. *hot ass tears*

  • Topic Influencer

    YEP lol. His name is Cowboy. He was fukkin with Larenz character in the movie and Larenz ended up beating the "cowboy" shat outta him lmao.

  • Yoni7

    I LOVED that movie! And like you, I've only watched it once, MAYBE (halfway) twice. It was too much for my spirit/soul to take.

  • DeJeri

    I remember in high school when I first watched Higher Learning, I thought that it was such a powerful and impactful movie. Making a movie about a neo-Nazi shooting up a school in the 90's....Mr. Singleton was way ahead of his time....a very talented and insightful man.....

  • TriniHarlem

    That one was good. Watch it

  • Topic Influencer

    Ving was fine af in that movie you hear me? I just canna.

  • DeJeri

    Higher Learning.....who knew how commonplace it would become for angry white Neo-Nazis to shoot up schools....

  • Li-Wright

    Boyz in the Hood was powerful and ahead of its time....Sad sad sad. Please young people - see your doctor, get your annuals.

  • Li-Wright

    I love Four Brothers - oh yeh.

  • Yoni7

    I'm talking about does he play a bad guy in Unsolved? Him and Larenz are both in Unsolved? I'm confused.

  • Topic Influencer

    THIS RIGHT THE HELL HERE. I guess John Singleton knew! It was even pre-Columbine! Its why its still relevant to this DAY. My 14 yo recently checked it out and was like well DAG ON.

  • DeJeri

    That movie used to scare the piss out of me. I'm feeling frightened right now. LOL

  • TriniHarlem

    Yes he's Harlem ? probably why I like his crazy. Yes he did his thing in that movie. No script just pure acting.

  • ATL White Guy

    Agree with you on Four Brothers. Not sure how many times I've watched it now. I wish he would have directed a sequel.

  • Topic Influencer

    Naw. Thought you were talking about TERRY HOWARD baby wipes ays lol.

    Just Bokeem. He not a villian. One of the officers investigating but has shady fam who is in the drug dealing/banging life.

  • Rayscoty

    Oh God... Now everybody fake caring about John Singleton..

    The Nipsey Hustle trend must be over..

  • DeJeri

    I loved Boyz in the Hood. It's a classic movie, but the concept isn't original. I thought it was, until I watched Cooley High with my Dad and was like "I'll be damned."

  • Topic Influencer

    Doubt its fake caring. Most everyone at least here since its a black folks blog... has seen at least ONE John Singleton movie.

  • DeJeri

    I couldn't name one song by Nipsey, but I've seen most of Mr. Singleton's movies. Tell me you've never watched Boyz in the Hood. I was shocked when I lived in Spain and they were showing i t on regular t.v. with subtitles. He had an international influence so I don't think that it's fake.

  • jwoo250

    Yes, Like Camillionaire and 50 cents or Kirk Franklin and Plies. They all related.

  • Yardgirl

    OT: Miss Sandra can we get a happy topic??? This week has been ROUGH. I will take a morning wood, twig, unclockable, who wore it better, anything to shake the blues on this rainy sad Friday.

  • Yardgirl

    Sis thank you!! I just caaant today.

  • Yoni7

    ALWAYS been a crush of mine. His voice melts me! It saddened me to no end when Tarantino had him raped in Pulp Fiction. I was HURT! You hear me, HURT! Like WHY Quentin? WHY you gotta do OUR men like this? Just like he did Samuel in Crazy 8 and had them fukkin' with Jamie in Django. Like how much are you paying them to play THESE type of roles. https://media0.giphy.com/media/TW8Ma1a8ZsZ8I/giphy.gif

  • tintin

    My goodness he's so young

  • JazzyBossyJen

    Didn’t he make Rosewood as well..

  • Yoni7
  • Yoni7

    See. He's villain adjacent. LOL

  • Yoni7

    I never watched it. Only knew about it. LOL

  • KcoolMuziq

    It was! Too bad I didn’t accept the further request.

  • Cricket404

    I hope he recovers, he has looked ill in pictures as of late. I too liked his movies. I always thought him and Tyra made an odd couple when they dated, he is only like 5'5.

  • Logan Roberts

    Get well John. Strokes & heart attacks are so dangerous and scary. You never know how it's gonna end.

  • Alextra Ballard

    Laaawd,this is so sad...First it was reported that Mr.Singleton had a "minor" stroke, now he's in a coma? Prayers goes out to John and his family. I hope he fully recovers.

  • Mr.LeBrickJames

    They'd said it was a "mild" stroke, but I guess we should have known better. Even if it was a severe stroke, his people would probably tell us it's mild anyway.
    Seems to be just how they do things nowadays.

  • Alextra Ballard

    I went to the ER on Monday....while awaiting to see the Dr. the hospital operator kept coming on the P. A. system tawkin about Stroke Alert south wing,Stroke Alert west wing, so forth and so on. She must've made that announcement at leat every 15 mins. Um like whats going on with peepo having strokes.

  • ingridbergman

    ?? I hate that I’m laughing but that made me giggle a little.

  • Pamela

    ??????
    Tarantino is certifiably crazy

  • SpiceGirl

    Speedy recovery John

  • yvette46

    Sending dear prayers for John and family..

  • NewNew

    That movie gave me nightmares for a year as a child. Had to sleep with the lights on. You couldn't tell me that white folks weren't coming to get me. Traumatic

  • NewNew

    People act like you can't walk and chew gum at the same dang time.

  • Marlika

    Same thing that happened to Luke Perry. ? ??I hope John pulls through.

  • Anji

    John is a really nice guy to work with. He gives a lot of support in Leimert and with USC Black Alumni Assoc. I send positive thoughts and energy to John as he may embrace his healing journey.

  • Anji

    John is a really nice guy to work with. He gives a lot of support in Leimert and with USC Black Alumni Assoc. I send positive thoughts and energy to John as he may embrace his healing journey.

  • Anji

    Bless up for the full recovery!

  • Anji

    I have too and I don't care why. Since Platoon for me

  • Yoni7

    Thank you.

  • Ghost

    ?????? And glad his mother is around to handle things!

  • E Ethel Ballys

    Higher Learning was a very racist movie.

  • E Ethel Ballys

    LoL, name one “Nazi” who shot up a school.

  • NeverSurprised

    Luke Perry immediately lept to my mind as well. I pray we have a different outcome here.

  • NeverSurprised

    Luke Perry immediately lept to my mind as well. I pray we have a different outcome here.

  • Yardgirl

    ???

  • hottlanta

    Wow this blows my mind. Prayers going up.

  • Topic Influencer

    LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) – The family of a teen killed in the 2018 shooting at Marshall County High School filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the alleged suspect and his family members.

    The suit, filed in Marshall Circuit Court on behalf of Preston Ryan Cope, claims Gabe Parker's mother and stepfather, Mary and Justin Minyard, failed to keep a Ruger 9mm gun away from the 15-year-old despite knowing he had a "propensity for violence" and an obsession with guns.

    In addition, Parker's bedroom contained items "devoted to deadly weapons and violence as well as WWII and the Nazi Regime," the lawsuit alleges. And the teen made online threats in the months before the shooting, according to the suit.

  • Topic Influencer

    AZTEC – A new report says a man accused of killing two students during a New Mexico school shooting visited “Neo-Nazi” websites and sought out people obsessed with school shootings.

  • Topic Influencer

    Tuesday’s rampage at Columbine High School has focused attention on a close-knit group of students who dress in black and call themselves the “Trench Coat Mafia.”

    Classmates describe the shooting suspects as part of a clique of generally quiet, brooding students with penchants for dark trench coats, all-black clothes and shaved heads. By several accounts, the group also interested in the occult, mutilation, shock-rocker Marilyn Manson and Adolf Hitler, whose birthday was Tuesday.“They sing Marilyn Manson songs and joke about killing people,” said a 12-grade student who asked not to be identified. “They’re into Nazis. They take pride in Hitler. They’re really, really creepy.”

  • Topic Influencer

    Now go find a dick to choke on Ethel.

  • Topic Influencer

    Which part when Remy and the skin heads decided to be Nazi's?

  • WhoKnew

    I just read on TMZ that Singleton's daughter has filed legal docs in response to her grandmother's request for conservatorship saying that her dad IS NOT IN A COMA and that her dad's mother is lying because she is quickly trying to get a hold of his estate to liquidate it. WTF?

    This is why a will and advance health directive are important. Shut that family tom-foolery down before it starts.

  • Ghost

    Just read that too! OMG...

  • Being bad is way more fun

    Broke me was able to go to the hospital with shortness of breath and other symptoms and they were able to find out I had blood clots so I find it had to believe that all these people with money dont take better care of their health ?? The best time to go to the doc and get a check up is when you are feeling fine. More people always seem to die when there was nothing wrong with them !!!

  • HoneyHitchcock

    Thank goodness he was at the hospital and was able to receive immediate help

  • B.Loveitt

    People get your life together. Contact me if you need more details at BLOVEITT.YNOT@GMAIL.COM.

  • B.Loveitt

    I believe he didn't have the finances. With that being said who's to say he wasn't doing the man thing...a black man thing and not go see a Doc???

  • E Ethel Ballys

    The trouble is finding one that ain’t already in one of your holes.

  • Daryl Campbell

    Prayers for the Nupe.

  • 88

    Yep his best film imo.

  • http://meetuplove.com/HL6zeWhJbrO0ds nickc66
  • Moon Lee

    Yes this is very serious, than previously reported. Sending positive vibrations, and healing energy to John and family. ?

  • http://dateme-meetup.site/TBpJ239ZvxFRds justin