Director John Singleton is in a coma after suffering a major stroke on April 17th. Singleton’s mother, Shelia Ward, has filed documents to become the temporary conservator to make emergency medical and financial decisions and to help negotiate various unresolved business deals on Singleton’s behalf. Singleton’s family released the information about the director’s health last week stating, “John is currently in the ICU and under great medical care.” Since then, Singleton’s health has taken a turn for the worse.

Singleton, 51, has been a prominent force in film and television since his breakthrough project, Boyz n the Hood in 1991. The director made waves as the first black filmmaker to be nominated for Best Director at the Academy Awards. Recently, Singleton was recognized as one of the major creative forces on the FX original series, Snowfall. 

In documents filed to the Superior Court of Los Angeles, Ward asserts, “At the time [Singleton] suffered the stroke, he was engaged in several business projects and was prepared to sign a lucrative settlement agreement on or about April 30, 2019.” Ward goes on to stress the importance that one of Singleton’s loved ones is appointed a conservator to handle sensitive medical decisions and negotiate a settlement.