MIAMI, FL - MARCH 31: Michael K. Williams is seen in his award show look for the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards on March 31, 2021 in Miami, Florida. Due to COVID-19 restrictions the 2021 SAG Awards will be a one-hour, pre-taped event airing April 4 on TNT and TBS.
Michael K. Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on The Wire, has died at 54.
According to law enforcement sources per TMZ, Williams was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment Monday after a relative hadn’t heard from him in a couple of days and went to check on him. The actor was found in the living room of his home, and drug paraphernalia was on a table nearby suggesting that he died from a drug overdose. In his breakout role, Williams played a streetwise homosexual criminal on HBO’s The Wire which showed off his extensive acting ability and adoration by fans. He later would star in Boardwalk Empire, The Night Of, 12 Years a Slave and Assassin’s Creed.As of recent, the Flatbush native starred in HBO’s Lovecraft Country which he is currently nominated for an Emmy for “Best Supporting Actor.”
Williams is a five-time Emmy nominee and is survived by his son Elijah.
Autumn Hawkins is the National Hip-Hop and R&B writer for Beasley Media, currently residing in New Jersey. Prior to working at Beasley Media, she was in broadcast news as an entertainment producer. When she's not impatiently waiting for Beyoncé to drop new music, she is reading, shopping, or planning a vacation.