American actor Michael K. Williams, famous for role of Omar in “The Wire” series, died at 54 – franceinfo

He will be remembered by fans of series for playing the gangster Omar Little in The Wire, but it was far from his only outstanding role. American actor Michael K. Williams is dead at age 54, a representative of his family and the HBO channel told the American magazine The hollywood Report, Monday September 6, confirming information from New York Post.

The actor’s family does not discuss the causes of his death. According to New York Post, who cites police sources, he was found dead at his home after an overdose. The newspaper recalls that Michael K. Williams had publicly mentioned his fight against addiction.

In The Wire (also broadcast in France under the title Bugged), he had lent his face marked with a long scar to the character of Omar Little, bandit robbing dealers, between 2002 and 2008, in a role that had remained the most striking of the series.

Also on HBO, Michael K. Williams had also played in the series Bordwalk Empire and in Lovecraft Country, earning for this latest appearance a nomination in the category of Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series at the upcoming Emmy Awards. He had already received four nominations, notably for his role in The Night Of and When They See Us.

He had also made numerous appearances in the cinema, notably in 12 Years a Slave.