Meagan Good and Michael Ealy are among those mourning the loss of an icon. John Singleton’s death at just 51 has devastated those who loved, appreciated, and were inspired by him in Hollywood and beyond.
The Intruder stars, out Friday, shared what the legendary filmmaker meant to them Monday just hours after learning of Singleton’s passing with ESSENCE’s Yes, Girl! podcast.
Ealy revealed that Singleton was one of the first people to give him a chance to act.
“John gave me my second movie. It was 2 Fast 2 Furious. We had a great time working on that project,” said the actor of the 2003 film.
Ealy also recalled a time when Singleton was one of the only people fighting to tell Black stories in Hollywood.
“I grew up watching his movies so I can’t say he didn’t have an influence on me—he did,” he pointed out. “He and Spike [Lee] were at one point the only two.”
Ealy’s co-star added that Singleton’s films left an indelible mark on her.
“Nobody else did anything like Boyz N The Hood and Higher Learning and it’s just its incredible,” she explained. “When you look at people who’ve had that type of influence who have given us opportunities, and not opportunities to blend in with white folks, an opportunity to be exactly who we are authentically I just think that he changed a lot of the culture as far as film and how we’re seen as Black people in the industry.”
The actress added, “I feel a pain in my heart for his family. I feel a pain in my heart for all of us, because he did the shift the culture.”
Singleton died Monday after being in a medically-induced coma since last week. The Academy Award-nominated director had checked himself into a local hospital after feeling a pain in his leg, and later suffered a stoke.