The star of ‘The Wire’, actor Michael K. Williams, is found dead in his New York City apartment
‘The Wire’ star, Michael K. Williams, 54, is found dead of suspected heroin overdose in living room of his Brooklyn penthouse surrounded by drug paraphernalia
Five-time Emmy nominee was found dead on Monday in the living room of his Brooklyn penthouse apartment His nephew went to check on Williams after not hearing from him for two days, according to an online report Drug paraphernalia was found near his body, suggesting a possible drug overdose, New York Post reported Williams has spoken in past years about his struggles with drug addiction; He is survived by a son, ElijahHe is best known for his portrayal of Omar Little in the groundbreaking HBO hit series The Wire Williams also appeared on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire and alongside Queen Latifah in the biopic Bessie
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‘The Wire’ star Michael K. Williams has been found dead of a suspected heroin overdose inside his luxury Brooklyn penthouse.
The 54-year-old was discovered unconscious in the living room of his Williamsburg apartment by his nephew on Monday afternoon, a law enforcement source told The New York Post.
A doorman subsequently called 911 claiming Williams was ‘unresponsive’ and ‘felt cold’. Medics rushed to the scene, but declared the actor dead at 2:12pm.
Williams’ nephew reportedly went around to the apartment complex to check up on the star, who hadn’t been heard from in several days.
Heroin was said to be found on the star’s kitchen table, and other drug paraphernalia was discovered elsewhere in the apartment.
A police source told The Post: ‘No foul play is indicated. [There was] no forced entry, and the apartment was in order.’
Williams’ nephew was inconsolable after making the grim discovery. He was seen weeping outside the apartment complex as he stated: ‘I found the body’.
Williams, a five-time Emmy nominee, was best known for his role in HBO’s ‘The Wire’. He played gay stick-up man Omar Little in the critically acclaimed series, which ran from 2002 to 2008. President Barack Obama once described ‘The Wire’ as his favorite show and Omar as his favorite character.
HBO released a statement following news of Williams death, which read: ‘We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael K. Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years. While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss.’
After The Wire, Williams went on to star in several other hit HBO shows, including Boardwalk Empire and Lovecraft Country – for which he is currently nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
He is survived by a son named Elijah.
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 was discovered inside his penthouse apartment, located in the trendy Brooklyn neighborhood of Williamsburg. The expensive complex is located on the waterfront and features sweeping views out over to Manhattan
A medical examiner is seen outside the apartment complex on Monday afternoon
A swarm of police officers were also spotted on the scene, after Williams’ nephew purportedly phoned 911 just after 2pm
Williams was born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and spent he spent his childhood in the projects surrounded by drugs and violence.
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.
On the eve of his 25th birthday, in 1991, Williams attempted to intervene when a group of muggers jumped one of his friends. One of the assailants pulled out a knife and slashed him, leaving him with a long, distinctive scar down the front of his face and neck.
Williams eventually enrolled in New York City’s National Black Theatre, and kickstarted his career as a dancer, scoring parts in music videos by Madonna and George Michael.
Williams made his film debut in 1996, appearing alongside Tupac Shakur in the film Bullet.
Three years later, he played a drug dealer in Martin Scorsese’s Bringing Out the Dead. He also landed a brief cameo in the HBO hit show The Sopranos.
However, in 2002, he landed the definitive role for his career, playing Omar Little in The Wire.
An official with the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office is seen above outside Williams’ apartment on Monday
Following the success of The Wire, Williams was cast as Albert ‘Chalky’ White in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.
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…’
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.’
Even at the height of his fame, Williams struggled with his demons. He entered a church in New Jersey seeking help with drug addiction sometime during the third season of The Wire.
‘When I came through those doors, I was broken. … This was, I would say, around the … third season of The Wire,’ Williams told National Public Radio in 2016.
‘I was on drugs. … I was in jeopardy of destroying everything I had worked so hard for, and I came in those doors, and I met a man who had never even heard of The Wire, much less watched it,’ he said, referring to the pastor.
‘I wrote my full name down – Michael Kenneth Williams – and in the office, [the pastor] turns around, and he says, ‘So what do you want to be called, man?’
‘I said, ‘Well, you know, my name is Michael, but I could do Mike.’
‘He says, ‘Why does everybody say, ‘Omar, Omar’s in trouble?’
‘And I was like, ‘Oh, this dude is clueless [about the show]’.’
