Michael K. Williams, ‘The Wire’ Actor, Dies at 54

Michael K. Williams, the mesmerizing actor and five-time Emmy nominee best known for his role as Baltimore stick-up man Omar Little on HBO’s The Wire, has died, his rep told The Hollywood Reporter. He was 54.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this insurmountable loss,” his longtime rep, Marianna Shafran of Shafran PR, said.

Williams was found in his Brooklyn home on Monday afternoon, a New York Police Department rep told THR. No cause of death was immediately available.

More recently, Williams portrayed Montrose Freeman on HBO’s Lovecraft Country, for which he received a 2021 Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series — the awards are Sept. 19 — and was Bobby McCray, the father of Antron McCray (Caleel Harris), who convinced his son to sign a false confession, on Ava DuVernay’s 2019 Netflix miniseries When They See Us.

The frequent HBO star also played racketeer Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire from 2010-14 and the inmate Freddy Knight on the 2016 miniseries The Night Of.

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael Kenneth Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years,” a statement from the network said. “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.”