Shockingly sad news today, as we’ve learned that Primetime Emmy-nominated actor Michael K. Williams has passed away at just 54 years old, reported by Variety tonight.
“The New York Police Department confirmed to Variety that the actor was found dead on Monday at 2 p.m. inside of his Brooklyn residence,” the site reports this evening.
Freshly nominated for “Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series” at this year’s Primetime Emmy Awards, Michael K. Williams brilliantly and powerfully played Montrose Freeman in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country,” the latest in a long line of small screen roles that made Williams one of the top actors on the scene. He had previously been nominated at the Primetime Emmy awards for When They See Us, Vice, The Night Of and Bessie.
On the small screen, Michael K. Williams is also known for his roles on “The Wire,” playing Omar Little from 2002-2008, and “Boardwalk Empire,” playing Chalky White from 2010-2014.
Williams’ incredible 100+ project resume also includes Bullet, Bringing Out the Dead, “The Sopranos,” “Alias,” “CSI: NY,” The Road, “Law & Order,” “Community,” “Walk This Way,” 12 Years a Slave, RoboCop, The Purge: Anarchy, Ghostbusters, Assassin’s Creed, and Motherless Brooklyn.
Motherless Brooklyn director Edward Norton tweets tonight, “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,” Norton adds.
HBO said in a statement, “We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael Kenneth Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years. While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss.”