'The Wire' star Michael K Williams found dead aged 54

vt-author-image

By stefan armitage

Article saved!Article saved!

Michael K Williams has been found dead at the age of 54.

As reported by BBC News, Williams' body was discovered in his New York apartment in Williamsburg on Monday afternoon. His cause of death has not officially been confirmed, as of this writing.

Law enforcement sources reportedly told the New York Post that Williams was found dead alongside drug paraphernalia. A police source also told the newspaper that "no foul play" has been indicated in the actor's death.

size-large wp-image-1263125522
Credit: Sipa US / Alamy

Williams is perhaps best known for his role as Omar Little in The Wire - a gay stick-up man who robs street-level drug dealers.

The actor also gained a following for his portrayal of high-level gangster Albert "Chalky" White in Boardwalk Empire.

Following news of Williams' death, many other stars have been taking to social media to pay their respects to the late actor.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson took to social media to write: "You’ll be missed, brother. A real pleasure to work with you and call you a friend. Strength, mana & love to your family during this very difficult and heartbreaking time. Go rest high."

Williams' co-star in The Wire Wendell Pierce tweeted: "The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss.

"A immensely talented man with the ability to give voice to the human condition portraying the lives of those whose humanity is seldom elevated until he sings their truth."

Fight Club star Edward Norton - who worked with Williams on the 2019 movie Motherless Brooklyn - also tweeted his respects, writing: "I feel punched in gut to learn we’ve lost Michael K Williams. Soul anguished.

"Getting to work with him was one of the greatest privileges I’ve had in my career. My admiration for his talent was boundless, like so many. If he was in a scene he was the best thing about it. Period.

"He had a really rare gift for being fully present in the moment & for conveying the layers under the words. He ran so deep. He was also kind & generously enthusiastic. I’ll be forever grateful that he graced ‘Motherless Brooklyn’ & that I got to share space & time [with] him. RIP".

Our thoughts are with Williams' family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy