The culture mourns another great.
Actor Michael Kenneth Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on HBO’s “The Wire,” was found dead in his New York apartment on Monday afternoon (September 6). He was only 54 years old.
As the news hit timelines, fans and colleagues took to social media to pay homage to the Brooklyn native who many described as “beautiful” and “kind.”
“The Wire” show creator David Simon shared his mournful thoughts on the actor in a short Twitter post.
Too gutted right now to say all that ought to be said. Michael was a fine man and a rare talent and on our journey together he always deserved the best words. And today those words won’t come.
— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 6, 2021
Williams’s “Wire” co-star, Wendell Pierce also paid his respects in a heartfelt post.
“[An] immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth. If you don’t know, you better ask somebody. His name was Michael K. Williams..”
The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss. A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth. pic.twitter.com/EvrESGSK8O
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021
Williams recently starred as Montrose Freeman in Misha Green’s HBO series “Lovecraft Country” and Bobby McCray in Ava DuVernay’s Netflix miniseries “When They See Us.”
DuVernay penned a touching tribute to Williams on her Instagram account, reminiscing on her relationship with the HBO actor.
”…I remember you speaking of mortality, like you did in your post last year about Kobe. In it, you wonder how you’ll be remembered and what your legacy will be. Maya Angelou once said, your legacy lives on in every life you touch. You, brother, touched many…” she wrote.
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Just a few months shy of the death of DMX, another treasure to the culture, Williams channeled the late emcee in a tribute that touched the hearts of many.
Jesse Collins, who worked with Williams on the DMX tribute, took to Instagram to share his respect for the late actor.
“Honored to work with you on the DMX tribute,” he wrote. “Thank u for all that u gave us. REST IN POWER!”
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Michael K. Williams has since received tons of messages from public figures such as Niecy Nash, Aisha Tyler, Cornell William Brooks, Spike Lee, Lance Reddick, Viola Davis, Giancarlo Esposito, and many, many more.
What was your favorite role Michael K. Williams starred in over the years?
For More Icons Lost This Year:
Comedic Legend Paul Mooney Dead At Age 79
Rest in Power! B.A.P.S. actress Natalie Desselle Reid Dead At Age 53
