The Wire actor Michael K. Williams has been found dead in his penthouse apartment.
The 54-year-old, who played Omar Little in the gritty US crime drama, was found in the living room by his nephew after suffering a suspected drug overdose, according to reports.
Drug paraphernalia was also found in the Brooklyn apartment, according to the New York Post.
A police source told New York Post: “No foul play indicated. No forced entry, the apartment was in order.”
The five-time Emmy nominee achieved mainstream fame and praise in 2002 for his role on The Wire as Omar, a stick-up man who robbed street drug dealers.
The actor also appeared on The Sopranos briefly during season 3, playing Ray Ray, who let Jackie Jr stay with him during some troubled times.
(Image: FilmMagic)
But his life off-screen was troubled, falling into cocaine addiction by 2004, which led to him disappearing for days to go on coke binges.
His time on the show definitely made an impact, as he was nominated for a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2007 due to his role.
It was clear that he made an impact to his fans too, with many taking to Twitter to share their tributes to the actor.
Fellow Wire castmate Isiah Whitlock Jr. wrote: “Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K. Williams. One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart.
(Image: Getty Images for ABA)
“An amazing actor and soul. May you RIP. God bless.”
Another user wrote: “RIP to the man who made Omar Little one of the greatest characters in television history. Anyone who watched Michael K. Williams act was better for the experience.”
A third fan said: “We lost a great one. Rest in peace, Michael K. Williams.”
During his time on the show, Michael K. Williams played Omar Little, a gay stick-up man who robbed dealers to give money to the poor.
After robbing drug dealers on the show, in 2004, he confessed to smoking cannabis and becoming “addicted to cocaine”.
Following his final scenes as Omar, he revealed that with the help of Reverend Ronald Christian in New Jersey, he got clean.
Reflecting on his time on the show, he previously said: “I suffered from a huge identity crisis. But when I look at the characters, I got to exorcise my demons, a lot.
“In the end, I was more comfortable with Omar’s skin than my own. That was a problem.”
Fans of the show continued in their support for Michael in the years that followed his debut, with countless fans sharing their fond memories of both Michael, and his character Omar, online.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
