Michael K. Williams, the pioneering HBO series “The Wire” actor who brought a hard-edge appeal to his role of Omar Little, the sawed-off-shotgun-wielding stickup man, was discovered dead on Monday at his home in the Williamsburg district of Brooklyn, according to authorities. He was 54 yrs old.
Williams, 54, was discovered face-down and lifeless in his fancy Williamsburg pad’s dining room, with what seemed to be heroin on the kitchen table, according to sources.
Williams was due to attend a function Saturday but never showed up, according to reports. A cousin of the Emmy-winning actor spoke with him on Friday.
Someone contacted cops to the property at 440 Kent Ave. just before 2 p.m. Monday, stating there was a male there who was “unresponsive” and “feels chilly,” according to sources.
The actor’s efforts earned him three Emmy nominations for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series or film for his roles in “When They See Us,” “The Night Of,” and “Bessie.” For his efforts on “Lovecraft Country,” he is shortlisted for an Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.
Mr. Williams deferred to his characters until the end, insisting that they possessed their own strength, just as they possessed their own identities. His mother, Paula Williams, his brother, Paul Carey, and his nephew, Dominic Dupont, survive him.
