My1sttoday — Michael K. Williams (54) ‘Wire’ actor, found dead in his New York City apartment.
Williams was found dead in his New York City apartment Monday afternoon, a law enforcement official told My1sttoday. According to the officials, investigators found drug paraphernalia near his body. The investigation is ongoing, according to another law enforcement source who responded to our message.
The acclaimed actor’s nephew found him a little before 2 p.m., and someone called cops to the address at 440 Kent Ave., saying there was a man there who was “unresponsive” and “feels cold,” according to our source.
Williams was pronounced dead by authorities at 2:12 p.m., our source added.
In an interview with the New York Times in 2017, Williams spoke openly about his struggles with substance abuse.
“Addiction doesn’t go away,” he said at the time. “It’s an everyday struggle for me, but I’m fighting.”
Williams, a Brooklyn native, most recently appeared in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” and the series “F Is for Family.”
He became an almost iconic figure for many thanks to his role in “The Wire” as Omar Little, a shotgun-wielding character who made his living robbing drug dealers. He followed that up as a mobster in the HBO Prohibition-era mob drama “Boardwalk Empire,” and most recently earned an Emmy nomination for another series on the pay network, the macabre “Lovecraft Country.”
Williams was next slated to co-star in Sony’s George Foreman biopic from George Tillman Jr., who was set to direct.
Williams amassed a number of accolades during his storied career, including five Emmy nominations. His first was in 2015 for his role in “Bessie” and another followed two years later for his part in “The Night Of.”
He was also the winner of a SAG Award for best ensemble with the cast of “Boardwalk Empire.”
On social media, Williams’ many colleagues and friends recalled the depth, complexity and humanity he brought to his characters on screen and, above all, the man he was off screen.
“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,” Aisha Tyler wrote on Twitter. “He burned so very bright.”
“No foul play indicated,” NYPD said. “No forced entry, the apartment was in order.”
Williams’ longtime rep confirmed the actor’s death in a statement.
“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams,” spokeswoman Marianna Shafran told The Hollywood Reporter. “They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss.”
