John Singleton on life support as mother, daughter battle for control of his care, finances

Famed director John Singleton is non-responsive and on life support in a medically induced coma at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and his condition is “not getting better,” his publicist told TMZ Monday.

This report after false reports spread earlier Monday that Singleton had died. But while the director is alive, this “dire” picture of his situation is in contrast to the idea put forward Friday by daughter Cleopatra, who asserted in court documents that her father is not in a coma and that his condition is improving “every day,” TMZ said.

These conflicting reports about Singleton’s health have come amid a growing legal battle between Cleopatra Singleton and her grandmother Sheila Ward over control of the 51-year-old director’s care and finances.

Last week, Ward filed an application in Los Angeles Superior Court to be named her son’s temporary conservator, explaining that he had suffered a “major stroke” April 17 that left him in a coma.

A form from one of John Singleton’s doctors, which was filed by Ward’s lawyer, said the director was incapacitated and cannot make his own decisions, Page Six added. But the form didn’t specify whether he is in a coma.

Ward said it was crucial for her to be named conservator because the “Boyz n the Hood” director was “engaged in several business projects” at the time of his stroke, the Hollywood Reporter said. Moreover, Singleton, who also co-created the TV series “Snowfall,” was “prepared to sign a lucrative settlement agreement on or about April 30.” He could suffer a “substantial financial loss” if he’s not able to sign that settlement agreement, Ward asserted.

But Cleopatra Singleton, a 19-year-old college sophomore, questioned her grandmother’s motives in documents filed Friday, TMZ and other outlets reported. She argued that Ward had abused her position as John Singleton’s personal and business manager, especially when it came to supporting his four children. In opposing her grandmother’s proposed conservatorship, Cleopatra Singleton said Ward was open about her intention to liquidate her son’s assets and leave his children with nothing.

“My father’s allowed his mother to stay in that position out of fear and obligation to her as she’s bullied and abandoned my father since he was a small child, leaving him emotionally defenseless,” Cleopatra Singleton said in court documents. She has suggested that another family member be named conservator.

Cleopatra Singleton also sought to clarify her father’s condition by saying he is breathing on his own but described him as being in a medically sedated state. She also said he responds to stimuli and has smiled on many occasions. She added that her father’s doctors said he could be out of the ICU in five days.

“My father is not in a coma,” she wrote. She added that doctors “do not have a concrete diagnosis” but said her father is “progressing every day.”

Perhaps John Singleton’s condition changed after his daughter’s filing, or perhaps the statement from the director’s publicist Monday clarifies the picture even more.

Singleton’s family said he suffered the stroke after flying home from Costa Rica. He began to experience weakness in his legs so he checked into the hospital where he suffered a stroke. In initial statements, the family described the stroke as “mild” and described the director as being alert. But the family later released a statement to say he was in an intensive care unit.

Singleton has been a vibrant talent on the Hollywood scene since his 1991 breakout hit “Boyz n the Hood,” when he became the first African-American and the youngest person to ever earn a Academy Award nomination for best director.

Singleton has been busy since, directing films and TV episodes and co-creating the FX crime drama “Snowfall.” He also has become a powerful voice in pushing for Hollywood to increase opportunities for people of color to direct their own films and to tell their own stories.

Singleton’s friends, admirers and entertainment colleagues have taken to social media to wish him well, including Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay.

“Lifting my highest thoughts + prayers of intercession for John Singleton,” DuVernay said in a tweet that included photos of the two directors together. “His films helped form me. His kindness lifted me up. I remember him coming to the premiere of my indie years ago. Showing love/support for a fellow black director from LA. He is a lovely man. Pray with me.”

Lifting my highest thoughts + prayers of intercession for John Singleton. His films helped form me. His kindness lifted me up. I remember him coming to the premiere of my indie years ago. Showing love/support for a fellow black director from LA. He is a lovely man. Pray with me. pic.twitter.com/oHCSZBCilx

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) April 25, 2019