07 Sep R.I.P: Hollywood Mourns Great Actor & Friend Michael K. Williams, Death Being Investigated As A Possible Drug Overdose

Michael K. Williams – who rose to fame as Omar Little on the hit HBO series “The Wire” – was reportedly found dead inside of his Brooklyn apartment yesterday. He was 54.

Hollywood mourns the death of the actor/activist while police investigate his death as a possible drug overdose. The heartbreaking details inside…

On a day where people gather to celebrate with family and friend, people close to actor Michael K. Williams were hit with horrible news on Labor Day (yesterday).

Michael K. Williams – who played rose to fame as Omar Little in hit HBO series “The Wire” – was reportedly found dead inside of his home in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, the police said. He was 54.

Marianna Shafran – his longtime rep – confirmed his death in a statement, which said the family is grappling with “deep sorrow” at “this insurmountable loss.”

The famed actor – who also starred in “Boardwalk Empire” and “Lovecraft Country” – was found by a family member (reportedly his nephew) around 2pm, according to police. The New York City Police Department is now investigating his death as a possible drug overdose.

According to the New York Post, “Williams was found dead of a suspected heroin overdose” when he was found “with what appeared to be heroin on the kitchen table.” Authorities reportedly suspect Williams died of a fatal drug overdose. As a result of news of a possible overdose, “fentanyl” began trending on Twitter.

The city’s medical examiner will determine the cause.  TMZ just reported that cops are now in search of the drug dealer.

Our law enforcement sources say NYPD detectives are conducting an investigation into the origin of the narcotics cops found at the site of the actor’s death over the weekend … which we’re told are believed to be heroin-based.

The news of Michael K. Williams’ death comes on the heels of reports that comedian Fuquan Johnson died after an apparent overdose on drugs laced with fentanyl.

Not only was Michael an amazing actor, the EMMY nominated actor was also a powerful activist. It’s a title he was reluctant to accept.

“I’ve always struggled with that word in regards to my name, but today I’ve owned it,” he told a theater full of friends, colleagues, and supporters at the Whitby Hotel during the premiere of ‘Raised in the System,’ his documentary with Vice on HBO, in 2018.

MKW is currently nominated for an Emmy for his role in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country.” A win at the September 19th ceremony would be his first in five nominations.

MKW grew up in East Flatbush at the Vanderveer Estates housing project, now known as Flatbush Gardens. He wanted to create a better future for the children growing up where he grew up, so he https://webuildtheblock.org/about-us/ “>co-founded “We Build the Block.”

“He loved the community, he loved Brooklyn, he loved New York,” said his nephew Arvance Williams.

He even was just about finished with shooting season 2 of his compelling docuseires “Black Market” on VICE where he travels to different places – from Newark to South Africa – to delve into the dark side of what makes people do what they do.  Vice said the show would resume its mission “to investigate the complex factors that drive people into the often dangerous underground economies and illicit trade networks. Michael often offered up his own story of his battle with drug addiction as the backdrop to relating to the people he came in contact with on the show.

News of his death started to spread fast and his celeb friends were utterly shocked with the news.

Actor Wendell Pierce – Michael’s “The Wire” co-star – paid tribute to the actor in a heartfelt Twitter thread:

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

“The depth of my love for this brother, can only be matched by the depth of my pain learning of his loss,” Pierce wrote. “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.”

He was proud of the artist he had become, asking for my advice long after he had surpassed any incite I could have shared.Always truthful, never inauthentic. The kindest of persons. Like two mischievous kids, we would laugh & joke whenever we would meet. Like Baltimore years ago pic.twitter.com/d68eaSb8rL

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021

So to you, my brother Mike, there is a small comfort that I know, you knew how much we loved you. pic.twitter.com/lr48rSwg0o

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021

“There is a certain immortality involved in theater, not created by monuments and books, but through the knowledge an actor keeps to his dying day that on a certain afternoon, in an empty and dusty theater, he cast the shadow of a being that was not himself……. pic.twitter.com/wcuOb58cnu

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 6, 2021

From my heart, years ago. I said it then, and it must be said now…… pic.twitter.com/qD09DEprw3

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) September 7, 2021

Famed director Spike Lee paid tribute to MKW, sharing of photo of himself alongside the late actor cheering on the New York Knicks.

“Whew Lawd, Dis Is A Tough Day-1st We Lose The Great French Actor JEAN PAUL BELMONDO And Now My Brother MICHAEL K. WILLIAMS,” Lee wrote. “Our Brother Passed Away Today In His Home,Da People’s Republic Of Brooklyn. I’m Shook. Drinking A Bottle Of Italian Red Wine-Brunello Di Montalcino By Myself. Our Greats Are Leaving Us Left And Right. GOD BLESS.”

Tributes for Michael from celebs like Ava DuVernay, Tasha Smith, Aldis Hodge, Niecy Nash, Kerry Washington and more started trickling in:

So heartbroken. @BKBMG thank you for the beauty and joy you brought to the world. Sending love and prayers to your friends, family and everyone who adored you me included We adore you Sir. pic.twitter.com/R3ER7a8iTi

— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 6, 2021

Too gutted right now to say all that ought to be said. Michael was a fine man and a rare talent and on our journey together he always deserved the best words. And today those words won’t come.

— David Simon (@AoDespair) September 6, 2021

Michael K. Williams’ last IG post was a clip of fellow New Yorker Tracy Morgan where he passionately urged his friends and fans “Don’t cry for me” while talking about surviving a fatal limousine wreck in 2014.

“I love you brother!!!,” he captioned.

Chilling.

The death of Michael K. Williams is a huge loss to Hollywood. He was incredibly talented and he brought every character he played to life as if he was actually the person/character he was portraying. His talent, honesty and transparency will be missed, but most of all, his kind spirit and awesome personality will be missed by his family, friends and fans.

REST IN POWER!

Photo: DFree/Shutterstock