A spokesperson for the New York Police Department said that Michael K. Williams, the barrier-breaking actor, was dead. He is best known for his role in "The Wire," as Omar Little, the shotgun-wielding antihero.
According to a spokesperson, the actor and activist, 54 years old, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment on Monday afternoon. At the time of publication, it was unknown what caused his death.
HBO has mourned Williams as an actor who had a profound impact on many people.
HBO stated that they were shocked to hear about the death of Michael Kenneth Williams. Williams was a long-standing member of the HBO family. While the world knows of his incredible talents as an artist and we know Michael as a dear friend, who was loved by everyone who had the opportunity to work with him. His family is our deepest sympathy.
According to Williams' official biography, Williams began his professional career as a dancer at the age of 22. He was a four-time Emmy nominee. Williams was raised in Harlem by the National Black Theatre Company, and other prestigious institutions. He made his feature film debut in "Bullet", 1996 alongside Mickey Rourke & Tupac Shakur.
According to his IMDb profile, Williams has 111 acting credits. Williams is scheduled to appear in "892" (and "Surrounded"), the upcoming films.
Williams played a pivotal role in several HBO series, including "The Wire" (which aired for five seasons between 2002 and 2008). He was also seen in films like "12 Years a Slave", "The Road", and "Inherent Vice," which won the Oscar.
His role as Omar on "The Wire," which is frequently cited as a contender to be the greatest TV series ever, is what made him American cultural immortality.
Openly gay gunman Omar, clad in a trench coat, preys on drug dealers in Baltimore's mean streets, was a new example of Black LGBTQ representation onscreen. Omar announces his presence by singing "The Farmer in the Dell", a children's song, and delivers memorable lines like "All in the Game, yo" or "A man got a code."
Also, "You must not miss the king when you come to him."
Williams was able to portray the character with ease, but it was difficult for Williams to become Omar.
He told NPR that he knew him well enough to say that he was aware of this fact. "I just kept going to laugh."
Williams stated to The New York Times that he learned how to handle a gun from a Brooklyn drug dealer in 2017.
The actor said that it was the best acting lesson he had ever received.
Williams also established Making Kids Win, a non-profit organization to assist young people in obtaining education and opportunities that will keep them safe from harm, particularly gun violence and imprisonment.
Williams was the subject of many tributes as word spread about his passing.
Wendell Pierce, one the "Wire" actors, wrote a tweet praising Williams as an "immensely gifted man with the ability of giving voice to the human condition portraying those whose humanity cannot be elevated until they sing their truth."
