Tributes have been pouring in for The Wire actor Michael K. Williams, who was found dead in his Brooklyn home, aged 54.
Acclaimed actor and beloved star Michael K. Williams, most famous for his role of Omar Little in The Wire, passed away on Monday, aged 54. And while some, like 50 Cent, were slammed for insensitively using his demise as a prop to promote their own agenda, the touching tributes to the actor, who was up for an Emmy for his role in Lovecraft Country, have more than made up for it.
“Legends never die. Rest easy @bkbmg.” said Anderson .Paak, one half of the duo Silk Sonic.
Run The Jewels’ Killer Mike also paid a tribute to the actor in an Instagram post, saying: “Until we meet again black man. May out [sic] ancestors welcome you with a ‘Job Well Done’… appreciate the love and respect shown and the words we shared. Having built a relationship. We talked infrequent but always honest and encouraging.”
Mariah Carey also posted a picture with Williams, captioning it: “A beautiful soul, a beautiful person. I’ll miss you always.”
Actor Wendell Pierce also issued an emotional statement on Twitter: “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.” Pierce said. “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.”
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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
Pierce was also joined by The Wire creator David Simon, who said: “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.”
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 was found dead in his Brooklyn home on Monday afternoon Eastern time. His representative later issued a statement confirming his death, calling it an “insurmountable loss.”
While the cause of death has not been identified yet, the case is being investigated as a possible drug overdose.
