10 Friday (1995) Stars Who Died In Utter Tragedy – Who’s Next | HO

Nearly 30 years after the release of Friday (1995), the cult classic comedy still resonates with audiences. But behind its laughter and unforgettable characters, a chilling shadow seems to linger—a string of tragic deaths that has led fans to whisper about the so-called “Friday Curse.”

From sudden heart attacks and battles with disease to poverty and sᴜɪᴄɪᴅᴇ, the stars who brought South Central’s neighborhood to life have, one by one, met heartbreaking ends. As Hollywood mourns, the question remains: who will be next?

1. John Witherspoon: The Heart of Friday Silenced

John Witherspoon, who played the iconic Willie Jones—the wise, hilarious father of Craig (Ice Cube)—was the comedic soul of Friday. His simple lines became legendary: “Every time I come in the kitchen, you in the kitchen, eating up all the food.” Witherspoon’s warmth gave Friday its family heart.

On October 29, 2019, the world was stunned when Witherspoon died suddenly of a heart attack at his Sherman Oaks home. He was 77, still active in comedy and planning new projects. His funeral was a Hollywood pilgrimage, attended by hundreds of stars and friends. Ice Cube called it “a terrible loss for Hollywood,” while Marlon Wayans mourned the passing of a father figure both on and off screen.

Witherspoon left behind an estate estimated at $4 million, but his greatest legacy was the image of the quintessential Black father—stern, witty, and loving. His laughter echoes, but the void remains.

2. Bernie Mac: Comedy King Gone Too Soon

Bernie Mac, who played Pastor Clever—the hypocritical preacher—in Friday, turned a minor role into an unforgettable highlight. After Friday, Mac’s career soared. He became one of the “Kings of Comedy,” selling out arenas nationwide.

But behind the scenes, Mac battled sarcoidosis, a rare inflammatory disease. On August 9, 2008, at just 50, Bernie Mac died from complications related to pneumonia. His death shocked Hollywood and the world. Over 6,000 people attended his Chicago funeral, including Steve Harvey, Cedric the Entertainer, and Samuel L. Jackson.

Mac left an estate of about $15 million, but his true legacy was revolutionizing Black comedy and inspiring a generation. His laughter lives on, even as his absence stings.

3. Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr.: The Fall of Debo

No one who saw Friday can forget Debo—the neighborhood bully with a menacing glare and towering frame. Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. brought Debo to life, terrorizing South Central and stealing scenes.

In December 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lister’s health declined. On December 10, he was found dead in his Marina del Rey apartment. While initial reports cited COVID-19, the coroner revealed heart disease and high blood pressure as primary causes, with the virus contributing to his rapid decline. He was 62.

Lister’s funeral was subdued due to pandemic restrictions, yet filled with love and respect. Ice Cube wrote, “RIP Tiny ‘Debo’ Lister, a brother who brought us one of the most memorable characters in cinema history.” Debo remains immortal, even as his creator is gone.

4. Anthony Johnson: Ezel’s Final Fall

Anthony “AJ” Johnson played Ezel, the limping, broke neighbor always faking injuries for spare change. His brief appearances became comic gold.

On September 6, 2021, Johnson collapsed in a Los Angeles discount store. He died two weeks later at 55, the cause linked to chronic heart disease. His family, devastated and unable to afford a funeral, turned to GoFundMe for help. The plea touched America, and fans and celebrities rallied to give Johnson a proper farewell.

Johnson left no fortune, only a bitter lesson: Hollywood fame can fade fast, leaving even beloved stars in poverty. Ezel’s final fall was one from which he would never rise.

5. Yvette Wilson: Rita’s Battle with Cancer

Yvette Wilson played Rita, the sassy neighbor always sparring with Smokey (Chris Tucker). She truly shined on TV in Moesha and The Parkers, becoming a beloved figure in Black sitcoms.

Wilson faced a brutal fight with both cervical and kidney cancer. After years of chemotherapy, she died on June 14, 2012, at just 48. Her funeral was attended by cast members of Moesha and The Parkers, who remembered her resilience and smile, even in pain.

Wilson left behind enormous medical bills, but her legacy is one of strength and laughter—a woman who smiled in the face of death.

6. LaWanda Page: The Iron Queen of Comedy

LaWanda Page, famous as Aunt Esther in Sanford and Son, played Mrs. Jones in Friday. Her sharp tongue and stern demeanor made her a legend.

Page suffered recurring heart attacks and strokes in her later years. On September 14, 2002, she died at 81. Her funeral in Los Angeles was a massive tribute. Colleagues and fans remembered her as a trailblazer for Black female comedians, turning sarcasm into a cultural weapon.

Page left no vast wealth, but her legacy is immeasurable—she opened doors for generations of women in comedy.

7. Reynaldo Rey: The Pillar of Comedy

Reynaldo Rey played a minor character in Friday, but his career spanned over 50 films and countless TV appearances. He was a pillar of stand-up and supporting roles, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary comedy.

In 2014, Rey suffered a severe stroke. He died on May 28, 2015, at 75, in a lonely hospital room. His funeral was simple, but for Black audiences and comedians, it marked the loss of an elder and inspiration.

Rey left no mansions, but hundreds of supporting roles that helped shape American comedy.

8. Jennifer Echols: The Church Lady’s Quiet Farewell

Jennifer Echols appeared as a church lady in Friday After Next (2002), and in films like The Notebook and The Ladykillers. Her roles were small but memorable, embodying the everyday Black woman.

In 2018, just before her 64th birthday, Echols passed away quietly after a long illness. There was no media frenzy—only friends and colleagues mourned her dedication and presence.

Echols left no fortune, but honest, heartfelt characters that touched audiences.

9. Justin Pierce: Roach’s Unfinished Smile

Justin Pierce played Roach in Next Friday (2000)—the goofy, naive white kid who brought fresh energy to the film. Offscreen, Pierce was a renowned skateboarder and breakout star in Kids (1995).

Behind the scenes, Pierce struggled with addiction and depression. On July 10, 2000, at just 25, he took his own life in a Las Vegas hotel room. His death stunned Hollywood and the skateboarding community alike.

Pierce’s funeral was filled with grief and skateboards—a tribute to a young man who lived fast and died young. The words “Roach forever” scrawled in Washington Square still echo his legacy.

10. LaWanda Page: Aunt Esther’s Second Farewell

Before her role as Mrs. Jones in Friday, LaWanda Page was already a legend as Aunt Esther on Sanford and Son. Her steely voice and cutting wit made her the queen of Black satire.

After decades on stage, Page’s health declined. She died quietly in Los Angeles at 81, leaving behind a legacy greater than any fortune—a path for Black women in comedy, and an immortal presence in American television.

The Friday Curse: Coincidence or Fate?

Ten faces, ten fates—some lost to illness, some to poverty, some to the darkness of their own minds. All helped create one of Hollywood’s most beloved comedies, only to leave the stage in tragedies that haunt fans to this day.

Is the “Friday Curse” real? Or is it simply a reflection of the harsh realities behind the Hollywood spotlight? As the years pass and more stars fade, the question chills: Who will be next?