Actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his legendary portrayal of Omar Little in The Wire, was found dead on Monday at the age of 54. In the hours since, a number of tributes have been paid by his former co-stars and friends on social media.
Williams made a huge impact on the world of film and TV during his career. After The Wire he went on to star as Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire, before appearing more recently in The Night Of and Lovecraft Country — the latter of which saw him receive an Emmy nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
The impact he made — not just as an actor, but as a person — is clear from the messages and stories being shared.
Lance Reddick, who played Cedric Daniels in The Wire, posted a video in which he spoke about Williams’ capacity for kindness.
“While everybody else talks about what a great actor he was, I just want to say from my experience, he was one of the kindest, gentlest, most genuine, courageous souls I’ve ever met,” Reddick said. “Rest in peace my brother.”
David Simon, who created The Wire, was at a loss for words.
Wendell Pierce, who played police detective William “Bunk” Moreland in the show, shared a thread in which he described Williams as an “immensely talented man.”
More co-stars from The Wire posted tributes too, including Isiah Whitlock Jr. (Clay Davis), Tray Chaney (Poot Carr) and Domenick Lombardozzi (Thomas “Herc” Hauk).
Elsewhere, Williams’ Lovecraft Country co-stars Aunjanue Ellis and Courtney B. Vance, who play Hippolyta Freeman and George Freeman in the show, shared their own tributes.
The tributes continue to pour in from various corners of the entertainment world, including many of his co-stars like Boardwalk Empire‘s Stephen Graham, Ghostbusters‘ Leslie Jones, Community‘s Joel McHale, and Brooklyn’s Finest co-star Ellen Barkin. Director Spike Lee also posted a tribute to his friend on Instagram.
We will continue to update this story as more tributes are shared.
