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Wilt LG Contributor
Joined: 29 Dec 2002 Posts: 13727
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:16 pm Post subject: Michael K Williams (Omar from the Wire) found dead |
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Breaking now.
Possible overdose.
Added by CL:
NYT: Michael K. Williams, Omar From ‘The Wire,’ Is Dead at 54
Quote: | Michael K. Williams, the actor best known for his role as Omar Little, a stickup man with a sharp wit and a sawed-off shotgun in the HBO series “The Wire,” was found dead on Monday in his home in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, the police said. He was 54.
Mr. Williams was found about 2 p.m., according to the New York City Police Department. The death is being investigated and the city’s medical examiner will determine the cause.
His longtime representative, Marianna Shafran, confirmed the death in a statement and said the family was grappling with “deep sorrow” at “this insurmountable loss.”
Mr. Williams grew up in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, where he said he had never envisioned a life outside the borough. But before he was 30, he had parlayed his love for dance into dancing roles with the singers George Michael and Madonna, and then landed his first acting opportunity with another artist, Tupac Shakur.
Within a few years, he appeared in more roles, including as a drug dealer in the movie “Bringing Out the Dead,” which was directed by Martin Scorsese. Then in 2002 came “The Wire,” David Simon’s five-season epic on HBO that explored the gritty underworld of corruption, drugs and the police in Baltimore.
Mr. Williams played Omar Little, a charming vigilante who held up low-level drug dealers, perhaps the most memorable character on a series many consider among the best shows in television history.
Off camera, however, his life was often in disarray. He wasted his earnings from “The Wire” on drugs, a spiral that led him to living out of a suitcase on the floor of a house in Newark, an experience he described with candor in an article that appeared on nj.com in 2012.
He finished filming the series with support from his church in Newark, but the drug addiction stayed. In 2008, he had a moment of clarity at a Barack Obama presidential rally in Pennsylvania. With Mr. Williams in the crowd with his mother, Mr. Obama remarked that “The Wire” was the best show on television and that Omar Little was his favorite character.
They met afterward, but Mr. Williams, who was high, could barely speak. “Hearing my name come out of his mouth woke me up,” Mr. Williams told The New York Times in 2017. “I realized that my work could actually make a difference.”
Mr. Williams received five Emmy Award nominations, including one in the upcoming Primetime Emmy Awards this month. He was nominated this year for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series for his portrayal of Montrose Freeman on the HBO show “Lovecraft Country.”
A full obituary will appear soon. |
_________________ ¡Hala Madrid! |
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Omar Little Moderator
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90306 Location: Formerly Known As 24
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:16 pm Post subject: |
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Oh damn. _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52654 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:25 pm Post subject: |
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Damn. That sucks, especially if the OD thing is true. I heard him not too long ago on Maron talking about his addiction struggles and his efforts not to relapse and he was currently winning. A great actor and thoughtful, passionate guy. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now
Last edited by DaMuleRules on Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:53 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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jodeke Retired Number
Joined: 17 Nov 2007 Posts: 67631 Location: In a world where admitting to not knowing something is considered a great way to learn.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:30 pm Post subject: |
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He was a versatile actor. Michael wore his razor scar with pride. Drugs are a bane of acting. It may be needed by some to get into character. RIP _________________ Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind.
America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedoms, it will be because we destroyed ourselves. |
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ChickenStu Retired Number
Joined: 25 Apr 2015 Posts: 31912 Location: Anaheim, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:34 pm Post subject: |
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Horrible news. Damn. |
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kikanga Retired Number
Joined: 15 Sep 2012 Posts: 29286 Location: La La Land
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:38 pm Post subject: |
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Damn Kenard got him!
Jokes aside. Rest in piece Michael K Williams. The world lost you way too early. _________________ "Every hurt is a lesson, and every lesson makes you better” |
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Moses Star Player
Joined: 23 Aug 2008 Posts: 8270 Location: London
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 12:46 pm Post subject: |
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Damn, RIP man. his memory will live on, his performance as Omar Little was iconic and actually kinda groundbreaking in its time really. _________________ Lakers, Chargers, Dodgers, Arsenal FC.
Mamba Forever
The Marathon Continues
Still I Rise |
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non-player zealot Franchise Player
Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365
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danzag Franchise Player
Joined: 28 Apr 2013 Posts: 22313 Location: Brazil
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 1:14 pm Post subject: |
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Oh no |
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governator Retired Number
Joined: 28 Jan 2006 Posts: 25086
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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Damn, RIP |
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jonnybravo Retired Number
Joined: 21 Sep 2007 Posts: 30680
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:23 pm Post subject: |
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RIP. 54... _________________ KOBE |
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SweetP Star Player
Joined: 23 Jun 2005 Posts: 6054 Location: My own little piece of reality
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:25 pm Post subject: |
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Oh no.
RIP _________________ “There is always light if only we're brave enough to see it, if only we're brave enough to be it.” --Amanda Gorman |
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Basketball Fan Franchise Player
Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Posts: 24761
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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Omar Little wrote: | Oh damn. |
Fitting you were the first response to this post.
I heard of the guy but I never watched The Wire.
I did hear someone mention he did a tribute for DMX earlier this year which I found rather eerie considering. |
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Black20Ice Star Player
Joined: 24 Jun 2005 Posts: 1860
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:29 pm Post subject: |
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A talented man. RIP. 🙏🏿 |
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C M B Franchise Player
Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Posts: 19865 Location: Prarie & Manchester, high above the western sideline
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 2:49 pm Post subject: |
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jesus...a fine, fine actor. one of my favorites. and a good guy, apparently.
rip _________________ http://chickhearn.ytmnd.com/
Sister Golden Hair wrote: | LAMAR ODOM is an anagram for ... DOOM ALARM
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LakerLanny Retired Number
Joined: 24 Oct 2001 Posts: 47580
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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Oh man....very sorry to hear of this.
I was a big fan of his acting. Respects to his family and friends, way too young. _________________ Love, Laker Lanny |
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adkindo Retired Number
Joined: 16 Jun 2005 Posts: 40345 Location: Dirty South
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 6:01 pm Post subject: |
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Very sad news. |
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JerryMagicKobe Moderator
Joined: 28 Jul 2005 Posts: 15100
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 7:56 pm Post subject: |
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Omar Little wrote: | Oh damn. |
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numero-ocho Franchise Player
Joined: 27 Jul 2004 Posts: 18203 Location: Los Angeles, CA
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 8:11 pm Post subject: |
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"The game is out there. And it's either play or get played."
R.I.P _________________ "Suck it up. Don't be a baby. Do your job." - Kobe Bryant |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52654 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Mon Sep 06, 2021 9:02 pm Post subject: |
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numero-ocho wrote: | "The game is out there. And it's either play or get played."
R.I.P |
Reminds me of the opening scene of The Wire when McNulty asks the kid why they continue to let the notorious cheater keep throwing dice with them and the kid says, “got to . . . this is America”. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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Inspector Gadget Retired Number
Joined: 18 Apr 2016 Posts: 46641
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:12 am Post subject: |
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Omar Little wrote: | Oh damn. |
Didn’t know someone was trying to be like you on TV, that means he was really special.. RIP. |
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DaMuleRules Retired Number
Joined: 10 Dec 2006 Posts: 52654 Location: Making a safety stop at 15 feet.
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Posted: Tue Sep 07, 2021 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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I re-listened to the interview on Marc Maron's WTF podcast today. I had totally forgotten that he was on to discuss Body Brokers, the film about the corruption in drug rehab facility racket. It just drives home how horrible his apparent relapse OD was. As Michael says in the interview, "relapse is a part of my life, but I'm good today".
It also may be looking like he was yet another victim of the Fentanyl cutting that is going on with cocaine and heroin these days—same thing that killed comedian Fuquan Johnson and two others the other day.
Anyway, Marc Maron has reposted the interview for free. It's a poignant listen that I would recommend for anyone who was fan of Michael's work. _________________ You thought God was an architect, now you know
He’s something like a pipe bomb ready to blow
And everything you built that’s all for show
goes up in flames
In 24 frames
Jason Isbell
Man, do those lyrics resonate right now |
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IPK Star Player
Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 6859
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Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 3:26 am Post subject: |
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DaMuleRules wrote: | I re-listened to the interview on Marc Maron's WTF podcast today. I had totally forgotten that he was on to discuss Body Brokers, the film about the corruption in drug rehab facility racket. It just drives home how horrible his apparent relapse OD was. As Michael says in the interview, "relapse is a part of my life, but I'm good today".
It also may be looking like he was yet another victim of the Fentanyl cutting that is going on with cocaine and heroin these days—same thing that killed comedian Fuquan Johnson and two others the other day.
Anyway, Marc Maron has reposted the interview for free. It's a poignant listen that I would recommend for anyone who was fan of Michael's work. |
Thanks for posting the link to Maron's interview with Michael K. Williams. Will likely re-binge The Night Of and follow that up with Body Brokers. _________________ Our tribute to Phil, the man behind LG |
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Omar Little Moderator
Joined: 02 May 2005 Posts: 90306 Location: Formerly Known As 24
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Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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goodbye prince of New York _________________ “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.” ― Elie Wiesel |
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non-player zealot Franchise Player
Joined: 05 Nov 2007 Posts: 21365
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Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 4:01 am Post subject: |
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DaMuleRules wrote: | I re-listened to the interview on Marc Maron's WTF podcast today. I had totally forgotten that he was on to discuss Body Brokers, the film about the corruption in drug rehab facility racket. It just drives home how horrible his apparent relapse OD was. As Michael says in the interview, "relapse is a part of my life, but I'm good today".
It also may be looking like he was yet another victim of the Fentanyl cutting that is going on with cocaine and heroin these days—same thing that killed comedian Fuquan Johnson and two others the other day.
Anyway, Marc Maron has reposted the interview for free. It's a poignant listen that I would recommend for anyone who was fan of Michael's work. |
Wonder if fentanyl or just an OD after losing tolerance a la Sid Vicious. Or both. _________________ GOAT MAGIC REEL
SEDALE TRIBUTE
EDDIE DONX! |
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