Following weeks of speculation about 51-year-old groundbreaking director John Singleton’s health following a serious stroke, CNN confirmed he died yesterday (April 30).   

In a statement to CNN, the family said, “John passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family and friends. 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.”

Tweets mourning Singleton’s loss have been posted by many who were impacted by his work:

I was discovered by a master filmmaker by the name of John Singleton. He not only made me a movie star but made me a filmmaker. There are no words to express how sad I am to lose my brother, friend & mentor. He loved bring the black experience to the world. ..Us at Cannes ‘90 pic.twitter.com/CaRKjZtjgB

— Ice Cube (@icecube) April 29, 2019

Mourning the loss of a collaborator & True Friend John Singleton. He blazed the trail for many young film makers, always remaining true to who he was & where he came from!!! RIP Brother. Gone Way Too Soon!

— Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) April 29, 2019

Boyz n the Hood Poetic Justice Higher Learning Shaft Baby Boy Snowfall These are just a few of John Singleton’s work. He was a legendary filmmaker who told authentic stories about the Black experience. He inspired generations of artists behind him. May he rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/Q69qgq9LbT

— Congressional Black Caucus (@OfficialCBC) April 29, 2019

Singleton began his career with 1991’s two-time Academy Award-nominated Boyz N the Hood and became the youngest—and first—Black director to be nominated for the Oscar. The film also launched acting careers for Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Nia Long, and featured seasoned actors like Angela Bassett and Regina King. From Poetic Justice (1993), which featured Janet Jackson, Tupac Shakur, and Maya Angelou to Higher Learning (1995) and Rosewood (1997), the multi-facets of Black reality were on the big screen.

Watch the video trailer for “Boyz N the Hood.”

Here in a 2016 interview with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Singleton discusses filming “Boyz N the Hood” in the neighborhood where he was raised.