The star of ‘The Wire’, actor Michael K. Williams, has been found dead in his New York City penthouse apartment.
A law enforcement source confirmed to the New York Post that the 54-year-old he was found in the living room of his apartment in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn by his nephew on Monday afternoon. He is survived by his son, Elijah.
The nephew went to the apartment to check up on Williams after he hadn’t been heard from in a couple of days, according to TMZ.
Drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment, according to The Post. Williams has spoken in years past about his struggles with drug addiction.
‘No foul play indicated,’ a police source said. ‘No forced entry, the apartment was in order.’
Williams, a five-time Emmy nominee, was famous for his role as Omar Little in HBO’s ‘The Wire’. He also starred as Chalky White in ‘Boardwalk Empire’.
Before making it big on the small screen, he worked as a dancer who appeared in music videos alongside George Michael and Madonna.
The star of ‘The Wire’, actor Michael K. Williams, has been found dead in his New York City apartment. Williams is seen above as Omar Little from The Wire
A law enforcement source confirmed to the New York Post that the 54-year-old he was found in his Brooklyn apartment by his nephew on Monday afternoon. Williams is seen right as a character from the show Boardwalk Empire
Williams grew up in the projects of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. His childhood was one spent growing up in surroundings where drugs and violence were commonplace.
As a young boy, he was sexually molested. He told The New York Times that that experience left him confused about his own sexuality and caused him to be withdrawn.
‘They had two nicknames for me: Blackie and F****t Mike,’ Williams told the Times in 2017.
‘I was very soft, very fragile.’
In 1996, he made his film debut, appearing alongside Tupac Shakur in the film Bullet.
Three years later, he played a drug dealer in Martin Scorsese’s Bringing Out the Dead.
Williams also landed a brief cameo in the HBO hit show The Sopranos.
He would then land the definitive role for his career, playing Omar Little in The Wire.
Following the success of The Wire, Williams was cast as Albert ‘Chalky’ White in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.
In 2015, Williams was cast as Jack Gee, the husband of Bessie Smith, in the HBO biopic Bessie, which starred Queen Latifah.
Williams was open about his struggles with drug addiction. Since the age of 19, he went in and out of clinics to seek treatment.
In order to make ends meet, he started carjacking, though that led to several arrests.
Williams’ co-star on The Wire, Isiah Whitlock Jr, tweeted: ‘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.’
‘Michael K Williams, in addition to being one of the most talented actors around, was also one of the kindest, sweetest, most gentle souls I’ve ever met,’ tweeted director James Gunn
Aisha Taylor tweeted: ‘Michael K Williams was a beautiful, passionate, expansive soul’
Former NBA star Rex Chapman tweeted: ‘Devastating. The talent. What a life and career. One of the best television characters of all time. Omar Little. Rest, Michael K Williams…’
On the eve of his 25th birthday, he saw a group of muggers jump one of his friends.
Williams tried to intervene, but one of the assailants pulled out a knife and slashed him across the face and neck.
One gash went straight through his jugular.
The scar has been visible since. It is his most recognizable feature.
The facial scar led to more offers to appear in music videos as a dancer.
Tributes started to pour in for Williams.
‘Michael K Williams, in addition to being one of the most talented actors around, was also one of the kindest, sweetest, most gentle souls I’ve ever met,’ tweeted director James Gunn.
‘This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him.’
Aisha Taylor tweeted: ‘Michael K Williams was a beautiful, passionate, expansive soul.
‘I felt so lucky to have known him, and we were all so fortunate to have enjoyed his incredible talent. He burned so very bright.
‘Rest in power, MKW. You will forever be The King.’
Former NBA star Rex Chapman tweeted: ‘Devastating. The talent. What a life and career.
‘One of the best television characters of all time. Omar Little.
‘Rest, Michael K Williams…’
Williams’ co-star on The Wire, Isiah Whitlock Jr, tweeted: ‘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.’
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