We are sad to report that Emmy-nominated actor Michael K. Williams has died unexpectedly at the far too young age of 54.
A New York City Police spokesperson was able to confirm the actor’s passing on Monday. Police say they responded to a call to Williams’ Brooklyn apartment around 2PM where he was found dead at the scene. While information as to the cause of Williams’ death is unavailable at this time, officials are currently investigating.
A representative for Williams’ family said in a statement-
It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss
Williams was best known for his role on HBO’s hit series The Wire (2002-2008) but had an extensive career working in the industry since his film debut in Bullet (1996) alongside Tupac Shakur and Mickey Rourke. In addition to his iconic role as Omar on The Wire, Williams made a name for himself appearing on many of HBO’s other original drama series including The Sopranos (1999-2007), Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014), and most recently Lovecraft Country (2020); a series for which he has a currently standing Emmy nomination.
Outside of his work with HBO, Williams had reoccurring roles on television series like Community (2009-2015), Alias (2001-2006), F Is For Family (2015-?), and The Kill Point (2007). The actor also starred alongside James Purefoy in the crime-noir series Hap And Leonard (2016-2018) for three seasons.
Other career highlights include appearances in films like Bringing Out The Dead (1999) with director Martin Scorsese, Gone Baby Gone (2007), The Road (2009), the Oscar-winning 12 Years A Slave (2013), Robocop (2014), Inherent Vice (2014), and Motherless Brooklyn (2019). The actor was almost featured in a galaxy far, far away as the main antagonist in Lucasfilm’s Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) when the project was still being directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller. After the pair were replaced with director Ron Howard, the project underwent extensive reshoots and Williams was recast due to his busy schedule.
Rest In Peace Michael Kenneth Williams
November 22, 1966 – September 6, 2021
