The 1995 buddy comedyFriday’s cast features some of the most prominent Black actors of the time, though sadly, there are several notable members of theFridaycast who have since passed away.Friday, starring Ice Cube and Chris Tucker, follows the day in the life of Craig Jones (Ice Cube) and his listless friend Smokey (Tucker) after Craig is fired from his job. Unlike some othericonic Black movies of the era,Fridayis a light comedy without the dramatic stakes and violence found in films likeNew Jack CityorBoyz n the Hood.
Fridayshows that just because life in the neighborhoods where writers Ice Cube and DJ Pooh grew up can be dangerous doesn’t mean they can’t be fun as well. Smokey, Craig, and the rest of theFridaycharacters have to deal with a certain amount of bullying and illegal activities, but for the most part, it’s just a community with its growing pains and friendships.Fridayhas gained a cult following over the years, even spawning the “Bye, Felicia” meme. A major part ofFriday’s longevity is its talented cast, some of whom have sadly passed away.
Red’s father
Tommy Lister Jr. As Deebo
August 15, 2025 - Aug 03, 2025
Actor:Tommy “Tiny” Lister Jr. had a nickname that belied his large size, billed at 6' 5" and 300 lbs in his professional wrestling days (viaWWE). This led to him often being cast as large, intimidating characters, like Deebo inFriday. His typecasting led to a prolific career, andLister Jr. has had several notable performances in his career. On television, he voiced Mr. Mussels onFish Hooksand played one-episode characters inNYPD Blueas Bob andRenegadeas Marvin Montgomery.
His notable film roles included the tattooed prisoner who throws the Walkie-Talkie off the boat inThe Dark Knight, Cassius inLittle Nicky, and President Lindberg inThe Fifth Element. Lister Jr. died on August 24, 2025, at the age of 62 due to hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Fish Hooks(2010-2013)
Mr. Mussels (voice)
Character:Deebo isa neighborhood bully inFridaywho uses his size to make Craig and Smokey rob a house for him.He intimidates the entire neighborhood, robbing the people on his block which makes everyone hate him. However, he is also a ruthless thug who also inspires fear whenever he appears. At the end of the film, Craig finally stands up for himself by beating up Deebo after Deebo punches Craig’s love interest, Debbie (Nia Long). Though drug dealer Big Worm is the real threat to Craig and Smokey, Deebo is the movie’s more prominent villain.
Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor linebacker, James Harrison, was nicknamed “Deebo” for his resemblance to Lister Jr. and his ferocity matching theFridaycharacter (viaESPN).
John Witherspoon As Willie Jones
July 30, 2025 - Jul 09, 2025
Actor:John Witherspoon died on June 23, 2025, at the age of 77 from a heart attack and left behind a long legacy of his performances.Witherspoon’s best-known television roles include John “Pops” Williams inThe Wayans Bros., the voice of Robert “Granddad” Freeman inThe Boondocks, and Grandpa Alvin inThe First Family. His notable film performances include Silas Green inVampire in Brooklynand Mr. Jackson inBoomerang.
The Boondocks(2005-2004)
Robert “Granddad” Freeman
Character:Willie Jones isan animal control officer inFriday. He’s also Craig and Dana’s (Regina King) over-the-top, emotive, and very strict father. Willis is constantly pestering Craig to get a job and has him doing chores all around the house while complaining about his son’s laziness. However, while the character is a terrific comedic presence in the movie, he also gets a poignant moment when he talks to his son about his heartbreak over seeing a gun in Craig’s hand.
10 Behind-The-Scenes Facts About The Making Of Friday
Friday, starring Ice Cube, is one of the most renowned stoner comedies of all time. Here are some behind the scenes facts about the popular film.
Bernie Mac As Pastor Clever
August 15, 2025 - Jun 25, 2025
Actor:Bernie Macpassed away on June 01, 2025, at the age of 50after privately living with severe sarcoidosis for most of his life. Mac was a wildly popular stand-up comedian and comic actor who earned two Golden Globe nominations for his starring role in one of themost popular Black sitcoms of the ’90s and 2000s,The Bernie Mac Show. His movie credits were also impressive, co-starring in the Steven SoderberghOcean’strilogy as Frank Catton. Additionally, he played Stan Ross inMr. 3000, and Floyd Henderson inSoul Men.
TheOcean’sTrilogy (2001-2007)
Mr. 3000(2004)
Stan Ross
Character:Mac plays Pastor Clever, a hilariously hypocritical man of God who does not practice what he preaches. While he arrives at Craig’s house ready to spread the word of God, he quickly attempts to get high with the young men and then ventures across the street to have sex with Craig’s neighbor Mrs. Parker, only to get caught by Mr. Parker and chased off.
Anthony Johnson As Ezal
August 07, 2025 - Sept 6, 2021
Actor:Anthony Johnson passed away on August 21, 2025, at the age of 55 due to multi-system organ failure after years of chronic alcohol use.Johnson also appeared in shows likeThe Jamie Foxx Showas Lil Loc DogandMalcolm & Eddieas Free Willie. His film credits includeThe Players Clubas L’il Man, reuniting with Ice Cube and Bernie Mac, andI Got the Hook-Upas Blue.
I Got the Hook-Up(1998)
Blue
Character:Johnson plays Ezal inFriday,a local thief in the neighborhood. He has a knack for showing up at the wrong time, especially when it comes to Smokey’s antics. Ezal arrives at Deebo’s house at the same time Smokey and Craig do, leading to a commotion that wakes Deebo up, spoiling Craig and Smokey’s plans to rob him. He is somewhat of a nuisance in the neighborhood, constantly looking for jobs and handouts. However, he also has a friendly demeanor which makes him a welcome presence as well.
Yvette Wilson As Rita
August 01, 2025 - July 21, 2025
Actor:Yvette Wilson died on July 13, 2025, at the age of 48 from cervical cancer, but before that, had appeared in a number of productions. In movies, Wilson played a nurse inDon’t Be a Menaceand Esther inHouse Party 3. On TV,she memorably appeared inMoeshaandThe Parkersas Andell Wilkerson,Theaas Lynette Armstrong-Russell, andThe Jamie Foxx Showas Mary Jane.
The Parkers(1999-2004)
Andell Wilkerson
Character:Rita isa woman that Smokey is set up on a date with, though he becomes disillusioned when he realizes she doesn’t match the “Janet Jackson” appearance she was described as. While the movie makes Rita the butt of the joke and could be seen as a meanspirited depiction, the scene is more about Smokey’s own shortcomings as he is too immature and self-centered to get to know his woman despite the fact that Debbie thought they would make a good match.
Friday Supporting Cast & Characters
Some Notable Actors Appeared In Minor Roles
Reynaldo Rey as Red’s Father:Reynaldo Rey passed away on August 10, 2025, at the age of 75 due to complications from a stroke he suffered years earlier.He plays Red’s father in one of the movie’s most famous scenes. After Red is knocked out, his father refuses to stand up to Deebo and instead chastises his unconscious son for bothering the man. Ray appeared in TV shows likeEverybody Hates Chrisas Mr. Lester and227as Ray the Mailman. His film credits includeWhite Men Can’t Jumpas Tad andFakin' da Funkas Earnest.
LaWanda Page as Jehovah’s Witness:Lawanda Page has a brief role as a Jehovah’s Witnesswho comes to Craig’s door. After he rudely closes the door in her face, she hilariously cusses him out. The actor died on June 01, 2025, at the age of 81 from complications arising from diabetes. The comedian and actor also appeared in thecast of TV shows likeSanford and Sonas Esther Anderson andMartinas Evelyn Porter.
Michael Clarke Duncan as Uncredited Craps Player:Michael Clarke Duncan appears as an uncredited craps player inFriday. Though he has no lines in the movie, he is present for the iconic scene when Deebo knocks out Red. Before he passed away on June 09, 2025, at the age of 54 from a heart attack,he had earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor as John CoffeyinThe Green Mile. He also appeared as Wilson Fisk inDaredeviland Lucius Washington inTalladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
Friday 4 Is Reportedly In The Works
Ice Cube Suggested Last Friday Is Moving Forward
Despite the fact that many members of theFridaycast have sadly passed away, the movie helped kickstart a franchise that is still popular to this day. WhileNext FridayandFriday After Nextdidn’t reach the iconic status of the original, they are still popular movies with plenty of laughs. However, despite it being over 20 years since the last installment, theFridayfranchise could finally be continuing with the long-awaitedFriday 4.
Often referred to asLast Friday, the fourth movie in the series has been discussed for years with no real traction being made. In 2022,Ice Cube called for the rights toFridayto be given to him if the studio was not willing to make the movie. While that did not seem to go anywhere, Ice Cube offered a more positive update on the project in June 2024:
“We’re working on it. We finally got some traction with Warner Bros. They have new leadership, my man Mike De Luca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first ‘Friday’ and ‘Players Club’ and ‘All About the Benjamins.’ Mike De Luca was there…So, now he’s running Warner Bros. And him and my man Michael Gruber was like, ‘Yo, what the f*** is going on with “Friday”? Man, let’s get this s*** back online.'”
While the franchise hasn’t recaptured the magic of the original, withLast Fridaybeing such a long-awaited sequel and possibilities of what the story could explore after so many years, it is hard not to get excited about the possibility of the franchise continuing. It is also possible thatLast Fridaycould be the first sequel in the franchise to bring back Chris Tucker and reprise his iconic breakthrough role as Smokey from the originalFriday.
Friday
Cast
Friday is a 1995 comedy film directed by F. Gary Gray and written by Ice Cube and DJ Pooh. Starring Ice Cube as Craig Jones and Chris Tucker as his friend Smokey, the story unfolds over one day in their South Central Los Angeles neighborhood. Dealing with the mundane and the unexpected, the film provides a humorous yet insightful look into the lives and challenges of the characters, capturing urban life and culture.
