John Singleton is in a coma after suffering a major stroke -- Shonda Rhimes and Ava DuVernay pay tribute

Deadline

The Boyz n the Hood director and FX Snowfall co-creator is now in a coma after suffering a major stroke last week. Amid the news of his condition, Rhimes and DuVernay offered their appreciation for the groundbreaking black director. Rhimes recalled being a struggling writer early in her career when Singleton called her and offered her words of encouragement. "He told me to keep writing," Rhimes wrote on Instagram. I never forget it." DuVernay tweeted that Singleton's "films helped form me. His kindness lifted me up."