Director John Singleton's Family Discuss His Hospitalization after Stroke
Director John Singleton, best known for the movies "Boyz n the Hood" and "Poetic Justice," suffered a stroke last week and is currently at the intensive care unit of an undisclosed hospital, his family revealed over the weekend.
The Oscar-nominated filmmaker checked himself at the hospital earlier last week after experiencing weakness in his leg. Family members told TMZ that Singleton had flown back from Costa Rica to the U.S and that the flight may have triggered his emergency.
Singleton suffered a “mild” stroke on Wednesday while being at the hospital. He’s currently at the ICU and under the best medical care.
“We ask that privacy be given to him and our family at this time and appreciate all of the prayers that have been pouring in from his fans, friends, and colleagues,” Singleton’s family said in a statement.
In 1991, Singleton became the youngest and first African American director to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Director for “Boyz n the Hood,” which also ran in the “Best Original Screenplay” category.
The film is considered a classic and in 2002, the United States Library of Congress deemed it "culturally significant" and selected it for preservation in the National Film Registry.
He has directed episodes of critically acclaimed TV shows “Empire” and “American Crime Story,” and is also known for works like “Poetic Justice,” "Rosewood," "Shaft," "2 Fast 2 Furious," and "Four Brothers."
He also worked closely to Michael Jackson, directing the music video for "Remember the Time," which featured Eddie Murphy, Iman, and Magic Johnson
Singleton, 51, also co-created "Snowfall," which chronicles the crack epidemic in the 1980s in Los Angeles.
Friends and colleagues in the entertainment industry have taken to social media to send their prayers and well-wishes to Singleton and his family.
Snoop Dogg, Guillermo del Toro, Mark Wahlberg, Nia Long, among others, have asked fans to keep Singleton ins their prayers.
Singleton was married once and has five children from three different women.