Anthony “A.J.” Johnson will receive a proper funeral after a GoFundMe for his funeral expenses received over double its $20,000 goal.
Johnson’s widow, Lexis Jones Mason, started a GoFundMe account this week, but donations were slow, and by Wednesday, she had only raised about $700.
Johnson died earlier this month after being found unresponsive in a Los Angeles store, as previously reported. The 55-year-old was best known for his role as Ezal in Friday. He had more than 40 additional acting credits, including House Party, BAPS and The Player’s Club.
A cause of death has not been announced.
During an emotional interview with TMZ, Mason called Johnson’s fans out for showing phony support.
“Y’all say y’all love him, but where is the love? Y’all not helping,” she said on Wednesday.
The widow claimed people promised her donations, but she wasn’t getting any substantial assistance.
“There’s people that’s saying that they’re gonna give money…we haven’t received it. Just to bury him and the funeral services alone will be close to 15 (thousand dollars),” Mason lamented.
The fandom must have heard Mason’s pleas because, as of Thursday evening, the GoFundMe campaign has raised about $48,700. The top donation, a whopping $4000, was credited to comedian Rel Howery. Funnyman Michael Blackson contributed $10,000 and posted proof on his Instagram page. He also asked others to contribute to Johnson’s homegoing.
View this post on Instagram
“If he’s ever made you laugh, let’s all contribute and send him home the right way,” Blackson wrote. “I’m not sure what anyone is doing, but I’m going to raise my own money for him.”
According to Celebrity Net Worth, his net worth was valued at $100,000 at the time of his passing.
There have not been any additional updates on Johnson’s funeral arrangements.
