Williams' costars from The Wire, Hollywood fans and friends pay tribute after his death.
Michael K. Williams, best known for his roles as Omar Little in "The Wire" and Chalky White in "Boardwalk Empire," was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment on Monday, September 6. He was 54.
According to TMZ, a relative went to check on him after they hadn't heard from him in a couple days. He was found in his living room, with drug paraphernalia nearby.
"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 insurmountable loss," his rep told The Hollywood Reporter.
"We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael Kenneth Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years," HBO added in a statement to The Wrap. "While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss."
Williams won acclaim for his work on "The Wire" and received two NAACP Image Award nominations for the series. NAACP also nominated him for "Boardwalk Empire," for which he and the cast also won a Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble In a Drama series. Williams also received Emmy nominations for his work in "Bessie," "The Night Of" and "When They See Us." He was also nominated for his work in "Lovecraft Country," for which he'll now be competing posthumously for later this month.
On the film side, Williams also appeared in "12 Years a Slave," "Gone Baby Gone," "The Road," "Assassin's Creed" and the 2016 "Ghostbusters" remake.
Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K Williams. One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart. An amazing actor and soul.
— Isiah Whitlock Jr. (@IsiahWhitlockJr) September 6, 2021 @IsiahWhitlockJr
May you RIP. God bless.
His "Wire" co-star Isiah Whitlock Jr. shared his shock and sadness over the loss tweeting, "Shocked and saddened by the death of Michael K Williams. One of the nicest brothers on the planet with the biggest heart."
"An amazing actor and soul. May you RIP. God bless," he added.
Fellow costar Wendell Pierce also shared a lengthy tribute thread to Williams"
If you don’t know, you better ask somebody. His name was Michael K. Williams. He shared with me his secret fears then stepped out into his acting with true courage, acting in the face of fear, not in the absence of it. It took me years to learn what Michael had in abundance. pic.twitter.com/BIkoPPrPzg
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021 @WendellPierce
THE WIRE brought us together and immortalized Omar & Bunk in that “scene” on a park bench.But for us we aimed to take that moment in time together and say something about Black men. Our struggle with ourselves, internally, and each other. For me & Mike we had nothing but respect pic.twitter.com/CfDW3rcY2c
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021 @WendellPierce
“There is a certain immortality involved in theater, not created by monuments and books, but through the knowledge an actor keeps to his dying day that on a certain afternoon, in an empty and dusty theater, he cast the shadow of a being that was not himself……. pic.twitter.com/wcuOb58cnu
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021 @WendellPierce
“but the distillation of all that he had ever observed; all the unsingable heart song the ordinary man may feel but never utter, he gave voice to. And by that somehow joins the ages.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021 @WendellPierce
Mike…….you joined the ages.
Farewell my friend,
Love Wendell pic.twitter.com/mrjtNWcIq5
As news spread of his death, others in Hollywood began sharing their sorrow across social media, mourning the HBO star and sharing their heartbreak. See all the tributes below.
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A lot of people knew him as Omar, I knew him as Chalky. I’m sure his family knew his as Michael. Thanks for all you gave to encourage, enlighten and entertain people you didn’t even know. Praying for your people. 🕊 pic.twitter.com/mDmXPM5lPR
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) September 6, 2021 @chancetherapper
Oh God. This is heartbreaking. An unbelievable actor. No no no https://t.co/Gd6JT6x5Rf
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) September 6, 2021 @joshgad
Damn. MKW. RIP #OmarLives
— marc maron (@marcmaron) September 6, 2021 @marcmaron
Damn! Such a loss! This man was an amazing actor and a beautiful artist gone too soon…🙏🏾 Michael K. Williams Dead: 'The Wire' Star Was 54 - Variety https://t.co/ctvgMnCBgf
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) September 6, 2021 @davidalangrier
Ugh I can’t believe this. One of the most big hearted gorgeous human beings inside and out. Sleep well Michael. You will be missed. 💔🙏🏾 https://t.co/x0jfpgan7t
— Sanaa Lathan (@justsanaa) September 6, 2021 @justsanaa
Heartbroken by the loss of this amazing soul. Replaying in my head our conversation recently on the streets of Brooklyn, just sharing love. 💔 pic.twitter.com/eZYzFVxY2h
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) September 6, 2021 @tamronhall
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This just broke my heart… 😔 https://t.co/REuUsqwwF7
— Wilson Cruz (@wcruz73) September 6, 2021 @wcruz73
Rest In Peace to this beautiful talented man 🙏🏾💔😞
— Holly Robinson Peete 💃🏾♍️ (@hollyrpeete) September 6, 2021 @hollyrpeete
Michael K. Williams pic.twitter.com/RLRAy7TRIL
Ugh this one hurts 💔💔💔 Michael K Williams was one of the best to ever do it. And was a really warm, sweet man the few times I had the pleasure of meeting him. #RIPMichaelKWilliams
— Nathalie Emmanuel (@missnemmanuel) September 6, 2021 @missnemmanuel
Michael K Williams y’all! Damn. 💔
— Vaxxed AF! #TeamPfizer Poor Kid Chasing Dreams. (@DaveBautista) September 6, 2021 @DaveBautista
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Damn. Just damn. Mr. Williams was such a Good, kind, wonderful man. He was so funny on Community and, of course, an actor for the ages. @BKBMG pic.twitter.com/bjPe2ZOvya
— Joel McHale (@joelmchale) September 6, 2021 @joelmchale
I can’t…I’m crushed. 💔 no words. I love you bro. RIP to the legend Michael K Williams aka one of the dopest Actors/Brother in the world. #Omar #TheWIRE FOR LIFE. I’m off the grid for a while hard to process this one. I love you bro smh damn 🤦🏿♂️ 😥😥😥 pic.twitter.com/UNK3F94opM
— Tray Chaney (@traychaney) September 6, 2021 @traychaney
We lost a great talent. What he brought was his and only his. Rest In Peace Michael K Williams. https://t.co/hHse1LrSUi
— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) September 6, 2021 @EllenBarkin
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Michael K Williams was a beautiful, passionate, expansive soul. I felt so lucky to have known him, and we were all so fortunate to have enjoyed his incredible talent. He burned so very bright.
— Aisha Tyler (@aishatyler) September 6, 2021 @aishatyler
Rest in power, MKW.
You will forever be The King. pic.twitter.com/LuFY0tG9NA
Michael K Williams, in addition to being one of the most talented actors around, was also one of the kindest, sweetest, most gentle souls I’ve ever met. This is heartbreaking. My thoughts are with all those who loved him. ❤️
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) September 6, 2021 @JamesGunn
Goddamn it. We lost one of our best, most talented. RIP #MichaelKWilliams. Breaks my heart. pic.twitter.com/K2ex1vhA88
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) September 6, 2021 @JDMorgan
Ugh this one hurts 💔💔💔 Michael K Williams was one of the best to ever do it. And was a really warm, sweet man the few times I had the pleasure of meeting him. #RIPMichaelKWilliams
— Nathalie Emmanuel (@missnemmanuel) September 6, 2021 @missnemmanuel
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Truly gutted on hearing the passing of Michael K. Williams. A tremendous actor.
— Colman Domingo (@colmandomingo) September 6, 2021 @colmandomingo
RIP Michael K Williams.
— David Harewood (@DavidHarewood) September 6, 2021 @DavidHarewood
Damn it😞
This is a heartbreak. What an unbelievably exciting actor he was. Electric, funny, deep, and always surprising. My heart goes out to his family, friends, and collaborators. A tragedy https://t.co/H7IIl3fcGV
— Melanie Lynskey (@melanielynskey) September 6, 2021 @melanielynskey
Totally - if you wanted to be inspired to continue performing - you could watch him - and feel like anything is always possible https://t.co/bpVeOELHQL
— John Cusack (@johncusack) September 6, 2021 @johncusack
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 @TheOrlandoJones
I had the pleasure of working with MICHAEL K WILLIAMS on Emilio Estevez’s film THE PUBLIC.
— AlecBaldwin(HABF) (@AlecBaldwin) September 6, 2021 @AlecBaldwin
He was…is…a startlingly raw and powerful actor. Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/h0Py15pgdS
I have never met a more loving, caring, beautiful human being. A true friend and thespian. I will forever miss you my dear brother.
— Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) September 6, 2021 @quiethandfilms
Godspeed. pic.twitter.com/8Eo8SErHs9
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