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The Wire actor Michael K. Williams found dead in New York apartment

Michael K. Williams, who played Omar in the hit TV series The Wire, has been found dead in a New York City apartment. He was 54.

2 min read
September 7, 2021 - 10:30AM
How playing Omar on The Wire changed Michael K. Williams' life (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert)

Actor Michael K. Williams has been found dead in his Brooklyn apartment at the age of 54, police have confirmed.

According to sources who spoke to the New York Post, drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment, suggesting the actor may have have suffered a fatal overdose, possibly from heroin or fentanyl.

Williams was reportedly found dead in the living room of his luxury Kent Ave Williamsburg penthouse by his nephew.

“No foul play indicated,” a police source said. “No forced entry, the apartment was in order.”

The Brooklyn native was famous for his role as Omar Little in the gritty TV series The Wire and as Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire.

Williams’ family confirmed the tragic news via his publicist with a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

“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 unsurmountable loss,” his long-time rep Marianna Shafran told the publication.

Williams had been open about his personal struggles with drugs through the years, including during the filming of The Wire, saying that getting so into the role of Little, who robs drug dealers, affected him in real life.

Omar Little is a renowned stick-up man who lives by a strict moral code, abstains from swearing and happens to be gay.
Omar Little is a renowned stick-up man who lives by a strict moral code, abstains from swearing and happens to be gay.
Det James McNulty (Dominic West) and Omar (Michael K Williams) in a scene from The Wire. Picture: Supplied
Det James McNulty (Dominic West) and Omar (Michael K Williams) in a scene from The Wire. Picture: Supplied

The acclaimed actor told NPR in 2016 that he once stumbled into a church in New Jersey desperately seeking help for his addiction.

“When I came through those doors, I was broken. … This was, I would say, around the … third season of ‘The Wire,’” Williams said.

“I was on drugs. I was in jeopardy of destroying everything I had worked so hard for, and I came in those doors, and I met a man who had never even heard of The Wire, much less watched it,” he said, referring to the pastor.

“I wrote my full name down — Michael Kenneth Williams — and in the office, [the pastor] turns around, and he says, ‘So what do you want to be called, man?’ I said, ‘Well, you know, my name is Michael, but I could do Mike.’ He says, ‘Why does everybody say, ‘Omar, Omar’s in trouble?’ ” And I was like, ‘Oh, this dude is clueless [about the show],’ ” Williams said.

Tributes have already begun pouring in following news of his death, with both fans and friends taking to social media to share their grief.


— with New York Post

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/celebrity-deaths/the-wire-actor-michael-k-williams-found-dead-in-new-york-apartment/news-story/18d75ae33f3d6790f313253c6c213384