Black Hollywood has lost another great actor under tragic circumstances.
Lovecraft Country actor Michael K. Williams’ body was found on Monday in his Brooklyn penthouse. The Post reported that the beloved actor died from a suspected heroin overdose. His nephew discovered his body at 2 p.m. and called for emergency services. Williams was pronounced dead twelve minutes later.
Sources disclosed that a substance that appeared to be heroin was discovered on the man’s Williamsburg penthouse dining room table.
“I found the body,” said an unidentified man on his cellphone, crying at the scene.
The visibly shaken man appeared to be trying to grasp that Williams was gone.
New York City police and medical examiner were also at the tragic scene.
“No foul play indicated,” a police source said. “No forced entry. The apartment was in order.”
The 54-year-old entertainer had an extensive body of work, including working on television shows like Law and Order, CSI, and Boston Legal. He was mostly known for his work on HBO’s successful series The Wire. He portrayed Omar, a savvy stick-up dude known for not playing games. He won an NAACP Image Award for the role in 2009.
Williams initially got his start in the industry as a professional dancer at age 22. The Brooklyn-native toured with the likes of Madonna and the late George Michael.
In 2004, he openly talked about his addiction to cocaine which started while he worked on The Wire. He also smoked marijuana.
“I was playing with fire,” Williams admitted. “It was just a matter of time before I got caught and my business ended up on the cover of a tabloid or I went to jail or, worse, I ended up dead. When I look back on it now, I don’t know how I didn’t end up in a body bag.”
“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.”
Williams beat his bout with addiction with the help of Reverend Ronald Christian of the Christian Love Church in Irvington, New Jersey.
Social media users and celebrities are mourning one of Black culture’s favorite actors.
Rest in Power Michael K Williams?????? Prayers Up. Spirits shook. Pain immense. Keep your head up family. We’ll pull through but first let’s give this black man every last one of his ????? Hold on to the ones you ? pic.twitter.com/1dGUBEp4d9
— Orlando Jones (@TheOrlandoJones) September 6, 2021
Heartbroken. Rest In Peace, Michael K. Williams pic.twitter.com/vq0cYCjqSZ
— Ivie Ani (@ivieani) September 6, 2021
So devastated about the passing of Michael K. Williams, an absolute powerhouse in our community. Such a transformative thespian, and an all around great guy.
Praying for his nephew, and the rest of his loved ones. ?
— Whoremione Granger? (@BuzzFeedObi) September 6, 2021
For those who didn’t know; Michael K Williams was actively involved in criminal justice reform, not only in the US, but also in The Bahamas. Had the privilege of sitting down and speaking with him and his lovely Bahamian mother. RIP Mike. pic.twitter.com/Ocrx6vWEj2
— Denzel. ?? (@Dembazell) September 6, 2021
This is heartbreaking to learn. We have lost an enormous talent in Michael K. Williams. https://t.co/sqY2ryvuAj
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) September 6, 2021
One of Michael K Williams’ greatest gifts as an actor was his ability to make you root for the villain. He made you care about stereotypically ‘bad’ characters because he knew how to tap into that complexity. That we are all more than just one thing. TV is better because of him.
— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) September 6, 2021
RIP Michael K. Williams pic.twitter.com/RhWbNUWCXo
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) September 6, 2021
Our prayers go out to his family.
