Actor Michael K. Williams Dead at 54

Actor Michael K. Williams, best known for his work on The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment on Monday, Vulture can confirm. According to the police, Williams was discovered by a family member. “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,” Williams’s family said in a statement. He was 54.

Williams’s portrayal of The Wire’s enigmatic Omar Little earned him widespread critical acclaim, and beginning in 2010, he starred as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire. More recently, his roles in Lovecraft Country, When They See Us, The Night Of, and the HBO biopic Bessie garnered him Emmy nominations. Williams was also active in community outreach in his native New York City, founding a nonprofit called Making Kids Win to combat gun violence and youth incarceration. In 2018, he released an HBO documentary on juvenile incarceration titled Raised in the System. “I believe we have enough resources within our community that we should be able to go back into our cities and take back our kids, the ones that are perpetrating and the ones that are being perpetrated upon — they’re all ours,” Williams told Vulture in 2018.

Tributes to Williams flooded social media in the wake of his death, with James Gunn writing, “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. This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him.” The Wire creator David Simon posted a picture of Williams on Twitter, and wrote, “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.” See more tributes to Williams below.

Update, Friday, September 24 at 4:00 p.m.: The New York City medical examiner has released Michael K. Williams’s cause of death, ruling it an accidental drug overdose. Vulture confirmed with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that his official cause of death was “acute intoxication by the combined effects of fentanyl, p-fluorofentanyl, heroin, and cocaine.” Williams was open about his struggles with addiction over the years, telling the New York Times in 2017, “Addiction doesn’t go away,” he said. “It’s an everyday struggle for me, but I’m fighting.”

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.

A post shared by Jesse Collins (@jessecollinsent)

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

A post shared by taraji p henson (@tarajiphenson)

First big role I auditioned for I lost it to Michael K Williams. It was Inherent Vice. I wasn’t mad I was actually proud that my name was even next to his. He inspired me to keep going after that thank you MKW. 🙏🏿 #RIP

A post shared by Ava DuVernay (@ava)

The loss of Michael K. Williams is just heartbreaking. One of our great actors.

A post shared by Niecy Nash (@niecynash1)

Michael K. Williams: One of the kindest, gentlest, most genuine, giving and courageous souls I've ever met. Rest in peace, my brother. #MichaelKWilliams pic.twitter.com/tqjAnGhQDY

A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee)

The disappearing acts of #MichaelKWilliams ❤️🖤 pic.twitter.com/Zx3sJzI4f9

Reading all of the condolences, he was so loved, he personified LOVE, he had such a heart, was a very sensitive soul, the hood tried to rob him of his sensitivity but he fought hard for his humanity, I’m gutted! 🙏🏾💔 #MichaelKWilliams pic.twitter.com/RuC6hg60Ro

A post shared by Aldis Hodge (@aldis_hodge)

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. This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him. ❤️

I was the midwest director for Obama in 2008, true story #MichaelKWilliams (Omar) showed up to our Gary Indiana office and asked to canvass the housing projects. Didn't tell anyone who he was, just walked a packet and came back then took pictures with the staff. Great human.

A post shared by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey)

Michael K. Williams was a god damn genius, a black queer icon who challenged the ideas of black masculinity at a time when it wasn't easy and a truly great dude. A huge loss.

Somebody tell God, Omar coming.#RIPMichaelKWilliams pic.twitter.com/Ch4iEoCVvS

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.

A post shared by Jay Pharoah (@jaypharoah)

Goddamn it. We lost one of our best, most talented. RIP #MichaelKWilliams. Breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/K2ex1vhA88

Devastating. The talent. What a life and career.

One of the best television characters of all time. Omar Little.

Rest, Michael K Williams… https://t.co/jV9OmfaqZh

Michael K Williams was a wonderful talent and even better community spokesman and activist ... He was a fixture in all community affairs in Brooklyn/NYC .... I am stunned to be writing this. Rest In Peace

A post shared by Jharrel Jerome (@jharreljerome)

A post shared by Giancarlo Esposito (@thegiancarloesposito)

For years Wikipedia listed Michael K. Williams as my brother. Neither one of us chose to correct it, instead we took it at its word. “We’re brothers, yo.” He shared poems with me. We broke bread & kicked it whenever we could. A deep & sincere connection. A beautiful spirit. 💔💔

A post shared by Leslie Jones (@lesdogggg)

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. pic.twitter.com/LuFY0tG9NA

With reporting from Victoria Bekiempis. 

Related

• Michael K. Williams on His New HBO Documentary, Raised in the System

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