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LAST UPDATE | 7 Sep 2021
SPIKE LEE, WENDELL Pierce and Aldis Hodge have led the tributes to The Wire actor Michael K Williams following his death aged 54.
Williams, who memorably played shotgun-wielding stick-up man Omar Little on HBO’s acclaimed crime drama, was found dead at his home in Brooklyn yesterday, police in New York said.
No cause of death was given.
A representative confirmed the news, describing the death of Williams as an “insurmountable loss”.
He received an Emmy nomination earlier this year for the role of Montrose Freeman in the series Lovecraft Country, and had appeared in films including 12 Years a Slave and Inherent Vice.
Tributes have flooded in for Williams, who as well as his role on The Wire earned fame and plaudits for playing Albert “Chalky” White on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.
Oscar-winning filmmaker Lee, 64, who like Williams grew up in Brooklyn, shared a picture of himself and “my brother” together.
He wrote on Instagram:
“Our Brother Passed Away Today In His Home, Da People’s Republic Of Brooklyn. I’m Shook. Drinking A Bottle Of Italian Red Wine-Brunello Di Montalcino By Myself. Our Greats Are Leaving Us Left And Right. GOD BLESS.”
Pierce, 57, starred alongside Williams on The Wire, playing Detective Bunk Moreland.
He wrote on Twitter: “The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss. An immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth.”
David Simon, creator of The Wire, also paid tribute to Williams.
He posted a picture of the actor to Twitter and wrote: “Too gutted right now to say all that ought to be said. Michael was a fine man and a rare talent and on our journey together he always deserved the best words. And today those words won’t come.”
Award-winning actress Kerry Washington said: “So heartbroken. @bkbmg thank you for the beauty and joy you brought to the world. Sending love and prayers to your friends, family and everyone who adored you me included We adore you Sir.”
Oscar-winner Viola Davis said: “No! So sad. Man do I wish this were a different ending. Rest well.”
Hollywood star Mark Wahlberg said: “RIP Michael K. Williams, so brilliant in #BoardwalkEmpire. You will be missed.”
Wendell K Pierce, who played Detective Bunk Moreland in The Wire paid a warm tribute.
“The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss. A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth,” he said.
The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss. A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth. pic.twitter.com/EvrESGSK8O
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021
He grew up in a housing project in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School in the borough.
He is survived by his son Elijah.
With reporting from © AFP 2021, PA
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What a tour de force performance in the wire, courtroom scene and stand off with brother mouzone(sp) two absolute stand outs, Rest in Peace
@Eamon Kelly: Up come that auld shotgun!!!
@Paul Kossoff: him and mouzone’s showdown with stringer was a classic too, and bunk giving him a bollocking at at train stop, unbelievable acting. His one man crusade against marlo was also amazing. ‘He ain’t man enough to come down to the street and dance with omar!’ RIP.
@Eamon Kelly: still my favourite TV show of all times. He was such an incredible talent. RIP
@Eamon Kelly: The Brother Mouzone scene cannot be topped. Often check it out on YouTube.
“A Hunting we will go….” only really know him as omar. He was the best thing thing about that great show. Even his death in that as a fictional character made me sad. Rip
He was superb as Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire
Rest In Peace
Ahhh. He was class as chalky. Rip
I got the shotgun. You got the briefcase. It’s all in the game, though, right?
You come at the king you best not miss
Brilliant actor. RIP
The angels in heaven are shouting, “Omar’s coming yo”. God must be worried. RIP.
Can’t believe what I’m seeing… rest in peace…
Money don’t got no owners only spenders.
My fav character from easily my fav shoe of all time. Rip. Very sad
@seanieP: show
A great actor in fairness I thought after the Wire his acting skills as Chalkey White was excellent,a hard charracter actor to replace.
“You come at the king, you best not miss” A truly talented man. RIP
Ahhh this one hurt. For real. RIP Omar
” I keeps one in the chamber in case you pondering”
A standout character in a brilliant show, as Omar.
Sad.
Thoughts are with his son Elijah. A wonderful actor.
That’s very unfortunate for the man. He was a great actor. The Wire and Boardwalk Empire are what I know him for (and 2 small scenes in The Sopranos). I watched an interview with him that’s up on YouTube a while back, in which he mentioned he has had drug issues in the past. It’s very sad. May he RIP. Omar comin’.
Such a very sad and tragic death.
RIP.
Rip Michael another to succumb to the ritches and false analogies of the elect. Ie money isn’t everything..imo.
@Paul Gorry: huh
@Paul Gorry: no, another to succumb to addiction and frailties and character faults. He was deep in drug addiction during filming the wire.
@JustBEERbarry: always one
@JustBEERbarry: true but he was a celebrity drug addict not like the poor sods we find on the streets or rundown buildings they won’t get accolades
Ah stop
Well I ain’t gonna be building no bookcase,RIP
Brilliant as “Chalky White” in Boardwalk Empire. A talented actor who will be sadly missed
RIP
Ah stop
Overdose….got heavy into drugs during The Wire…RIP
He was phenomenal playing Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire! So sad, RIP :-(
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