NEW YORK (AP) — Actor Michael K. Williams, who as the rogue robber of drug dealers Omar Little on "The Wire" created one of the most popular characters in television in recent decades, died Monday.
Williams was found dead Monday afternoon in his Brooklyn penthouse apartment, New York City police said. He was 54.
His death was being investigated as a possible drug overdose, the NYPD said.
Little, a "stick-up boy" based on real figures from Baltimore, was probably the most beloved character among the devoted fans of "The Wire," the HBO show that ran from 2002 to 2008 and is re-watched constantly in streaming.
The Brooklyn-born Williams was also a ubiquitous character actor in other shows and films for more than two decades, including roles on the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire" and "Lovecraft Country," and in the films "12 Years a Slave" and "Assassin's Creed."
As Little, he played a criminal with a strict moral code, known for taking advantage of a reputation for brutality that wasn't always real.
A cigarette in his mouth, he would whistle "The Farmer in the Dell" to ominously announce his arrival.
And he spoke many of the show's most memorable lines, including, "a man gotta have a code" and "all in the game yo, all in the game."
The character also broke TV ground as an openly gay man whose sexuality wasn't central to his role.
Williams appeared in all five seasons of "The Wire" from 2002 to 2008, his character growing in prominence with each season.
Sustain our coverage of culture, arts and literature.
Congress is moving toward revoking a billion dollars in already approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity…
The wholesome pop star's hits included “Pretty Little Baby” and “Who’s Sorry Now?” The latter would serve as an ironic…
Ten years ago, marriage equality became the law of the land when the Supreme Court ruled in the landmark Obergefell…
Comedy has long been a way to bring a different, lighter lens to heavy topics. That holds true for Palestinian…
Gibson, a celebrated poet and performance artist who through their verse explored gender identity, politics and their 4-year battle with…
No other dramas came close to the dystopian workplace series “Severance,” which achieved a convergence of acclaim and audience buzz…
Superman, one of the summer’s most eagerly anticipated blockbusters, delivered with a big opening weekend. Jeffrey Brown sat down with…
Presidential advisor and former News Hour contributor David Gergen died at 83 after being diagnosed with Lewy body dementia. Throughout…
As a new “Superman” reboot opens in theaters, here's a roundup of big summer spectacles, comedies and lesser-known streaming gems.
At an Omaha, Nebraska, festival this summer, new work explores the intersection of art, disability and technology, asking questions like…
The huge amount on Thursday blew past what auctioneer Sotheby’s had said was the previous record for a handbag. The…
From college stardom at Iowa to shattering attendance records and becoming a top financial driver for the WNBA, Caitlin Clark’s…
Journalists Josh Dawsey, Tyler Pager and Isaac Arnsdorf are out with a new book unpacking the twists and turns of…
