Michael K Williams: Fans and entertainment world react to death of beloved The Wire actor
Michael K Williams, star of HBO series The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, has been found dead in his New York apartment. He was 54.
According to the New York Post, the actor was found by law enforcement on Monday afternoon (6 September). The cause of death has yet to be revealed.
His death was later confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter by Williams’s representative who said that it was “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”.
If you don’t know, you better ask somebody. His name was Michael K. Williams. He shared with me his secret fears then stepped out into his acting with true courage, acting in the face of fear, not in the absence of it. It took me years to learn what Michael had in abundance. pic.twitter.com/BIkoPPrPzg
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021
Williams rose to fame on The Wire, playing stick-up man Omar Little and as Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire.
David Simon, co-creator of The Wire, wrote: “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.”
Tray Chaney who appeared with Williams in The Wire said: “I can’t …I’m crushed. No words. I love you bro. RIP to the legend Michael K Williams aka one of the dopest Actors/Brother in the world. #Omar #TheWire for life.”
I can’t…I’m crushed. 💔 no words. I love you bro. RIP to the legend Michael K Williams aka one of the dopest Actors/Brother in the world. #Omar #TheWIRE FOR LIFE. I’m off the grid for a while hard to process this one. I love you bro smh damn 🤦🏿♂️ 😥😥😥 pic.twitter.com/UNK3F94opM
— Tray Chaney (@traychaney) September 6, 2021
Director Spike Lee added: “Our Greats Are Leaving Us Left And Right. God Bless”, sharing a photo of him with Williams. Director Barry Jenkins added: “This can’t be true.”
This can’t be true
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) September 6, 2021
Author Stephen King tweeted: “Horrible, sad, and unbelievable to think we’ve lost the fantastically talented Michael K. Williams at the age of 54.”
Horrible, sad, and unbelievable to think we’ve lost the fantastically talented Michael K. Williams at the age of 54.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) September 6, 2021
Travon Free added: “Michael K Williams was a god damn genius, a black queer icon who challenged the ideas of black masculinity at a time when it wasn’t easy and a truly great dude. A huge loss. Somebody tell God, Omar coming.”
Musician Chance The Rapper tweeted: “A lot of people knew him as Omar, I knew him as Chalky. I’m sure his family knew his as Michael. Thanks for all you gave to encourage, enlighten and entertain people you didn’t even know.”
Director James Gunn added: “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. This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him. “
Fans around the world the world have been reacting to the news. One said on social media: “He was a giant in the acting world” while another added: “One of the finest actors of his generation.”
You can see some more of the reactions from fans and the entertainment world below:
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.— Isiah Whitlock Jr. (@IsiahWhitlockJr) September 6, 2021
"It's All In The Game, Yo." pic.twitter.com/xMnNaGd89L
— greg dulli (@MrGregDulli) September 6, 2021
Michael K. Williams was a god damn genius, a black queer icon who challenged the ideas of black masculinity at a time when it wasn't easy and a truly great dude. A huge loss.
Somebody tell God, Omar coming.#RIPMichaelKWilliams pic.twitter.com/Ch4iEoCVvS— Travon Free (@Travon) September 6, 2021
I crossed paths with Michael K. Williams once in New York and I was too nervous to say hello, so I walked around the block trying to work up the nerve and still couldn’t do it. Just loved his work so much. This news is so sad.
— Jason Isbell (@JasonIsbell) September 6, 2021
RIP to the man who made Omar Little one of the greatest characters in television history. Anyone who watched Michael K. Williams act was better for the experience. pic.twitter.com/E05sWrpJbf
— Michael Lee (@MrMichaelLee) September 6, 2021
I used to be on staff at one of the many organizations Michael K Williams supported, and he was the one celebrity you could always count to show up. He shared his time, talent, and spirit with those kids, and the impact of that cannot be overstated. https://t.co/pC9noX8FwA
— Sage Young (@sageyoungest) September 6, 2021
I am heartbroken.
Rest in peace Michael K. Williams pic.twitter.com/W2jGGJeA8R— Lenscap (@Ienscap) September 6, 2021
Everyone has brought up The Wire (as they should) but Michael K. Williams was also terrific in Boardwalk Empire. Even his brief turn on the Sopranos was memorable https://t.co/CIHW8rfabl
— Ted Goldberg (@TedGoldbergTV) September 6, 2021
A lot of people knew him as Omar, I knew him as Chalky. I’m sure his family knew his as Michael. Thanks for all you gave to encourage, enlighten and entertain people you didn’t even know. Praying for your people. 🕊 pic.twitter.com/mDmXPM5lPR
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 6, 2021
“It’s all in the game though right?”https://t.co/f9zhxwHmVU
— Nish Kumar (@MrNishKumar) September 6, 2021
Devastating. The talent. What a life and career.
One of the best television characters of all time. Omar Little.
Rest, Michael K Williams… https://t.co/jV9OmfaqZh— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) September 6, 2021
I can’t…I’m crushed. 💔 no words. I love you bro. RIP to the legend Michael K Williams aka one of the dopest Actors/Brother in the world. #Omar #TheWIRE FOR LIFE. I’m off the grid for a while hard to process this one. I love you bro smh damn 🤦🏿♂️ 😥😥😥 pic.twitter.com/UNK3F94opM
— Tray Chaney (@traychaney) September 6, 2021
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. This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him. ❤️
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 6, 2021
Among Williams’ most recent performances was his role as Montrose Freeman in HBO’s Lovecraft Country. The actor received a 2021 Emmy nomination for his role, as outstanding supporting actor in a drama series, as well as four other Emmy nominations in his career.
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Michael K Williams: The Wire actor found dead in his New York apartment