The Wire actor Michael K Williams has been found dead aged 54 at his home in Brooklyn, police sources have told the PA news agency.
Williams, best known for playing the charismatic Omar Little on HBO’s acclaimed crime drama, was found at about 2pm local time on Monday, PA understands.
As well as The Wire, Williams, who had a distinctive facial scar from a bar fight on his 25th birthday, had roles in gangster series Boardwalk Empire and TV film Bessie.
He was a four-time Emmy nominee for Bessie, The Night Of, When They See Us and Lovecraft Country.
Last week, it was announced Williams had joined the cast of Sony’s untitled biopic of famed world heavyweight champion George Foreman.
The Michael K. Williams news is just gutting, man.
He was *the* transcendent character on the greatest television show ever made, and made every show he was in better.
More importantly, everyone who knew him said he was a simply amazing person.
What a loss.
— nick wright (@getnickwright) September 6, 2021
I saw Michael K. Williams in the airport a few months back and made sure to let him know how much I love and appreciated his work. He was so kind to listen to me and he was so grateful for the thanks. Like DEEPLY GRATEFUL. Not the quick thank you gotta go. Celebs usually do.
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) September 6, 2021
RIP Michael K. Williams. Brilliant actor whose role as Omar on The Wire will be one of the single most unforgettable characters of my lifetime. pic.twitter.com/ViFXvicYLJ
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) September 6, 2021
We lost one of the best today. You had such a beautiful soul. It was an honor to work with you. But it was a true privilege getting to know you. Thank you for uplifting so many of us with your time here. Rest easy now Michael K Williams🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/TVwGJ3Qn1T
— Bryan Greenberg (@bryangreenberg) September 6, 2021
He was set to play Doc Broadus, who was Foreman’s trainer and mentor.
His other film roles included The Road, Inherent Vice and 12 Years A Slave.
However Williams will be best remembered for Omar, the gay, morally ambiguous criminal who frequently targets drug dealers.
The character was known for the distinctive duster jacket he wore to conceal weapons while wandering the streets of Baltimore.
Isiah Whitlock Jr starred alongside Williams in The Wire and paid tribute on Twitter.
He said: “Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K Williams. One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart. An amazing actor and soul. May you RIP. God bless.”
Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K Williams. One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart. An amazing actor and soul.
May you RIP. God bless.— Isiah Whitlock Jr. (@IsiahWhitlockJr) September 6, 2021
AAP
