Michael K Williams, Star Of The Wire, Dies At the Age of 54

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Michael K Williams, Star Of The Wire, Dies At the Age of 54

Police responded to Williams’ Brooklyn apartment Monday and found him dead.

 

Michael K Williams

A spokesperson for the New York Police Department confirmed Monday that Michael K. Williams, an Emmy-nominated actor best known for his role in “The Wire,” a Baltimore-based HBO series, has died. He was 54.

 

According to police, they arrived at Williams‘ Brooklyn apartment at 2 p.m. on Monday and found him dead. The New York Post first reported his death.

 

Fans and celebrities shared their emotions on Monday night in tribute to Williams via social media.

 

“This is absolutely devastating. Sweet Michael. You were one of the greatest actors of all time. On Twitter, Patricia Arquette, the actor, wrote: “Rest in Peace.”

 

Police said that investigators are investigating whether Williams overdosed.

 

 

“It is with deep sadness that the family announces Michael Kenneth Williams’ death,” a representative for Williams’ family said. A representative of Williams’ family stated that they request your privacy as they grieve this irreparable loss.

 

Williams was nominated for an Emmy Award as Montrose Freeman on HBO’s “Lovecraft County.”

 

 

Williams’s representative confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter. He said that the family was saddened by the loss of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. While they grieve this loss, they ask that you respect their privacy.

 

 

In 2012, President Barack Obama stated that Williams’ portrayal of Omar was his favorite character in “The Wire.” He also said that “That guy’s unbelievable,” about Williams.

 

Williams’ iconic performance in “The Wire” was also praised. He played the role of Albert “Chalky,” White in HBO’s series “Boardwalk Empire,” and Jack Gee, Bessie Smith’s husband, in HBO’s biopic “Bessie.” He was also a part of the Oscar-winning film “12 Years a Slave.”

 

He was nominated for six Primetime Emmy Awards. He shared a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble of a Drama Series with a “Boardwalk Empire” cast.

 

 

Williams was born in Brooklyn, November 1966. According to TV Guide, he started his career in entertainment at 22 years old as a professional dancer and appeared in over 50 music videos.

 

Williams’ feature film debut was in 1996’s “Bullet,” where he played High Top. According to Williams’ website, it was Tupac Shakur who discovered Williams’ talent and cast him.

 

Williams’ co-star on “The Wire,” Isiah Witlock Jr., tweeted that he was shocked.

 

“Shocked by Michael K Williams’s death. He was one of the most caring brothers on the planet. A remarkable actor and a great soul. May you rest in peace. He wrote, “God bless you.”

 

Wendell Pierce, another “The Wire” co-star, also tweeted about his pain.

 

Jason Isbell, a singer, wrote that Williams had met him once in New York City. He wished he would have taken the time to say hello.

 

“I met Michael K. Williams in New York once and was too nervous to say hello. I walked around the block, trying my best to get the nerve to do so. I loved his work so very much. He wrote, “This news is so tragic.”

 

Spike Lee, the writer, and director wrote that Williams’ death had shaken him and that he had just finished a bottle of Italian red wine.

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“Michael K Williams is a great film artist. Although I only had one in-person conversation with him, I still remember the whole thing. He is a wonderful person. You are a gifted person. Transcendent. Rip,” he tweeted.

 

Rosie Perez, an actor, wrote that she had been “destroyed.”

 

“WTF !!!!” “WTF! My friend just died!” Und I get an f —— notification to let me know! WTF! This is a horrible f —– day! I’m destroyed!” Perez tweeted.

 

 

Travon Free, the comedian, described Williams as a “God damn genius,” a black queer icon that challenged ideas about black masculinity when it was difficult and a genuinely great guy. It was a huge loss.” April Reign (the founder of #oscarssowhite) said Williams had “a quiet intensity” that had “expanded our view of what a gay man looks like in the roles he played.”

 

Williams continued to appear in films such as Martin Scorsese’s “Bringing Out the Dead” (among others), “Gone Baby Gone,” and “Life During Wartime,” and other movies, including “The Road,” and “Gone Baby Gone,” and “Life During Wartime,” and “I Think I Love My Wife,” and “Wonderful World.”

 

He was most well-known for his role in “The Wire,” He starred for five seasons.

 

Williams’ website states that Williams’ humor and wit brought Omar, the whistle-happy and profanity-averse dealer-robbing stickup, high praise.

 

 

Williams is believed to be dead at his New York home. He was also well-known for Albert “Chalky” White on the TV series Boardwalk Empire. This series ran from 2010 to 2014. He was nominated for an Emmy earlier this year for his role as Montrose Freeman in Lovecraft Country.

 

“Greek tragedy of the new millennium”… Tray Chaney and Larry Gilliard Jr. in season one.

Ten years later, The Wire: “We tore off the cover of a city and showed that the American dream was dead.”

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Williams received three Primetime Emmy nominations in addition to Lovecraft Country for his work on HBO’s The Night Of and the TV film Bessie DuVernay’s miniseries When They See Us.