Michael K. Williams, the veteran actor known for playing the legendary role of Omar Little on the critically acclaimed HBO drama The Wire, was found dead in his New York City apartment on Monday.
He was 54 years old.
The New York Post published this terrifying piece of startling news.
According to Page Six sources, Williams was discovered in the living room of his Kent Street residence in Brooklyn by his nephew.
These same sources say that drug-making paraphernalia were also found along with the famous star, who had a history of addiction and drug abuse.
To be clear, the cause of death has not been established at this time and any suggestion of an overdose is merely speculative.
On the small screen, Williams rose to fame as one of the main characters in the aforementioned HBO series.
Omar was a Robin Hood-like figure, who walked the streets of Baltimore and stole one of the city’s most ruthless drug deals.
During what became a highly successful career, Williams also enjoyed a leading role on The Boadwalk Empire and was featured in The Society, When They See Us and Lovecraft Country.
Williams earned his first Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for HBO’s Bessie – and later earned Secondly Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series for his role in The Night Of.
On the big screen, Williams has appeared in several acclaimed films… including Inherent Vice, 12 Years a Slave, Gone Baby Gone, and The Road.
The actor was also known for giving back to the community.
He recently launched Making Kids Win, an organization whose main goal is to build community centers in urban neighborhoods that need safe spaces for children to learn and play.
Williams has also served as the ACLU’s Smart Justice Ambassador.
The late star was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York.
Williams began his career as a professional dancer at the age of 22.
After multiple appearances in music videos and as a background dancer on concert tours for Madonna and George Michael, Williams decided to pursue acting seriously.
It clearly paid off for him.
In the wake of Williams’ death, tributes flow to the actor from those who knew him well and worked closely with him.
“Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K. Williams.
“One of the most beautiful brothers on the planet with the biggest heart. Great actor and soul,” tweeted The Wire star Isiah Whitlock Jr.
“WISH YOU RIP. GOD BLESS YOU.”
Musician Jason Espel added:
“I crossed paths with Michael K. Williams once in New York and was too nervous to say hello, so I walked around the building trying to build up my nerves and I still couldn’t do it. I loved his work so much.
“This news is very sad.
“I’m not beaten by the stars but I am by genius, and that man struck me as a genius.”
The veteran actor told NPR in 2016 that he once stumbled into a church in New Jersey desperately seeking help with his addiction.
“When I walked in through those doors, I was devastated. … This was, in my opinion, about… the third season of The Wire,” Williams said at the time.
“I was on drugs. I was in danger of ruining everything I worked so hard for.
“And I walked in those doors, and I met a man who had never heard of The Wire, let alone seen it,” he added, referring to the pastor.
A close police insider says via the New York Post:
“No evil game was mentioned. There was no forced entry, the apartment was in good condition.
We send our condolences to the friends, family and loved ones of Michael K. Williams
May he rest in peace.
Update: The now-actor’s representative told People Magazine…
“It is with great sadness that the family announces the death of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams.
“They demand your privacy while grieving this insurmountable loss.”
0 Comments