Star Of 'The Wire' & Dancer Michael K Williams Found Dead At 54

Actor and Emmy Award nominated entertainer Michael K Williams, best known for his role as antihero Omar Little on the cult crime series The Wire, has been found dead in his Brooklyn apartment.

Initially reported by the New York Post, Williams, 54, was found unconscious in the dining room of his apartment in Williamsburg, with initial sources claiming the cause of death to be a suspected heroin overdose, however, at the time of publication, no official cause of death has been confirmed.

Sporting a prominent scar obtained on his 25th birthday that would go on to become an imposing yet career-defining trademark feature, Williams' soon became highly sought after for appearances in music videos, as well as some modelling features in his early career. 

Before he swept the world up with his big break as the quick-witted Baltimore robber Omar on HBO's The Wire, Williams had already been making waves in the entertainment world, with aspirations to be a back-up dancer leading him to work alongside Kym Sims, George Michael and Madonna, while also retaining the bragging rights of choreographing the video clip for Crystal Waters' 1995 monster dance hit 100% Pure Love. 

While Williams' skills as a dancer was undoubtedly a precursor to his future as a prominent and powerful entertainer, it was a fortuitous discovery by rapper Tupac Shakur via a Polaroid picture that kickstarted Williams imposing acting career, landing a role in the 1996 film Bullet, before brief bit parts on Law & Order and The Sopranos led to his ultimate turning point, becoming one of the defining faces of HBO via the ground-breaking yet gritty series The Wire. 

Delivering powerhouse performances as the intimidating, Robin Hood-esque Omar on the hit show (claiming Barack Obama as a public fan of the character back in 2008), Williams' tenure on The Wire drew high praise for his portrayal as an openly gay man whose sexuality wasn't a central asset to the character; rather, Omar became a prominent and burgeoning antihero, with Williams bringing equal amounts of brutality and haunting charisma to the role throughout the entire five series run.

But while The Wire was undoubtedly a huge breakthrough for Williams, the Brooklyn native didn't limit his menace to just one role, eventually going on to explore additional complex and daunting characters with turns as the racketeer Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire, Robert in Steve McQueen's 2013 flick 12 Years A Slave and, more recently, as the ruthless Montrose Freeman in HBO's 2020 series Lovecraft Country.

Despite becoming legendary for his tough, imposing on-screen presence, Williams was never one to be pigeonholed as an actor, trying his hand with occasional comedic and unexpected outings, including a brief but memorable run on NBC's Community, as well as the dark comedy noir series Hap and Leonard.

Outside of his acting and creative pursuits, Williams was involved in multiple charitable projects and was the driving force recently behind an initiative to help source summer job opportunities for the youth of New York City amid the impact of COVID-19 on education institutions and the resulting lack of job prospects.

Previously admitting to past cocaine abuse and childhood struggles with addiction on multiple occasions, Williams had also spoken extensively about his ongoing efforts to remain clean and sober earlier this year amid the ongoing challenges the COVID-19 pandemic had brought. The confirmation of his death earlier today by long-time representative Marianna Shafran has prompted an outpouring of love and respect from Hollywood and beyond for the star.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams,” Shafran said in a statement. 

“They ask for your privacy while grieving this unsurmountable loss.”