Sadly it is being reported by The New York Post that actor Michael K. Williams was found dead of a suspected drug overdose in his Brooklyn penthouse Monday afternoon, law-enforcement sources told The Post.
Drug paraphernalia was found in the five-time Emmy nominee’s apartment, suggesting the acclaimed 54-year-old TV star may fatally OD’d, possibly from heroin or fentanyl, sources said.
“No foul play indicated,” a police source said. “No forced entry, the apartment was in order.”
Williams was found dead by his nephew in the living room of his Kent Avenue pad in the luxury Williamsburg high-rise, sources said.
The Flatbush native — currently a 2021 Emmy Award nominee as best supporting actor for “Lovecraft Country” — was famous for his role as Omar Little in the gritty TV series “The Wire’’ and as Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire.’’
Williams had been open about his personal struggles with drugs through the years, including during the filming of “The Wire,” saying that getting so into the role of Little, who robs drug dealers, affected him in real life.
The acclaimed actor told NPR in 2016 that he once stumbled into a church in New Jersey desperately seeking help for his addiction.
“When I came through those doors, I was broken. … This was, I would say, around the … third season of ‘The Wire,’ ” Williams said.
“I was on drugs. … I was in jeopardy of destroying everything I had worked so hard for, and I came in those doors, and I met a man who had never even heard of ‘The Wire,’ much less watched it,” he said, referring to the pastor.
“I wrote my full name down — Michael Kenneth Williams — and in the office, [the pastor] turns around, and he says, ‘So what do you want to be called, man?’ I said, ‘Well, you know, my name is Michael, but I could do Mike.’ He says, ‘Why does everybody say, ‘Omar, Omar’s in trouble?’ ” And I was like, ‘Oh, this dude is clueless [about the show],’ ” Williams said.
The condolences and stories are rolling in, as people celebrate and reminisce about the one-of-a-kind actor.
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. pic.twitter.com/EvrESGSK8O
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021
and:
my favorite interview with michael k. williams was on latifah’s show (they’ve been friends since they were 17) and he discussed how janet jackson’s “rhythm nation” video made him get into showbiz, then latifah pulled a clip from his days as a backup dancer pic.twitter.com/fwvmJaJcSQ
— Marlow Stern (@MarlowNYC) September 6, 2021
and:
WTF!!!! My friend just died!!! And I get a fucking alert to notify me?! WTF!!!
Today is a fucking horrible day! I’m destroyed! #RIPowerandPeace #MichaelKWilliams @BKBMG— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) September 6, 2021
and:
For years Wikipedia listed Michael K. Williams as my brother. Neither one of us chose to correct it, instead we took it at its word. “We’re brothers, yo.” He shared poems with me. We broke bread & kicked it whenever we could. A deep & sincere connection. A beautiful spirit. ??
— Saul Williams (@SaulWilliams) September 6, 2021
and:
Yeah this was a beautiful day in BK. He had a whole collection of poems in the voice of Omar he had been working on & asked to share one as an intro this night. @afropunk 2014 https://t.co/k9QMvFISTI
— Saul Williams (@SaulWilliams) September 6, 2021
One of our favorite stylists, shared this story to her Instagram, about her first time meeting Micheal.
Read below:
View this post on Instagram
RIP King
