John Singleton, ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ filmaker, dies aged 51

John Singleton, Oscar-nominated director known for films including ‘2 Fast 2 Furious’ and ‘Boyz N The Hood,’ has died aged 51.

The gifted filmmaker passed away on Monday after a decision was made to remove him from life support.

Singleton, who became both the first African American and the youngest-ever filmmaker to be nominated for the best director Oscar, had been hospitalised following a stroke on April 17. He had suffered the major disease while at Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles.

“We are sad to relay that John Singleton has died. John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends,” Singleton’s family spokesperson said in a statement, according to Deadline.

“We want to thank the amazing doctors at Cedars-Sinai Hospital for their expert care and kindness and we again want thank all of John’s fans, friends and colleagues for all of the love and support they showed him during this difficult time.

“John Daniel Singleton will be survived by his extraordinary mother, Sheila Ward, his father, Danny Singleton and his children Justice, Maasai, Hadar, Cleopatra, Selenesol, Isis, and Seven.”

Singleton, who also directed ‘Poetic Justice,’ ‘Higher Learning,’ and the 2000 remake of ‘Shaft,’ grew up in South Los Angeles. He attended USC and produced the A&E documentary ‘L.A. Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later.’

The movie director was also the co-creator of the FX series ‘Snowfall,’ which depicted the dawn of the 1980s crack cocaine epidemic in Los Angeles.