“The Wire” creator David Simon wrote in on Twitter that he was “gutted.” Williams performed Omar on the basic HBO sequence.
“Michael was a fantastic man and a uncommon expertise and on our journey collectively he all the time deserved the most effective phrases. And at this time these phrases will not come,” Simon wrote.
Wendell Pierce, who starred with Williams in “The Wire” as Detective Bunk Moreland, wrote, “The depth of my love for this brother, can solely be matched by the depth of my ache studying of his loss. A immensely proficient man with the flexibility to present voice to the human situation portraying the lives of these whose humanity is seldom elevated till he sings their reality. If you do not know, you higher ask someone. His title was Michael Okay. Williams. He shared with me his secret fears then stepped out into his appearing with true braveness, appearing within the face of concern, not within the absence of it. It took me years to study what Michael had in abundance.”
He continued: “He was pleased with the artist he had turn out to be, asking for my recommendation lengthy after he had surpassed any incite I might have shared, At all times truthful, by no means inauthentic. The kindest of individuals. Like two mischievous youngsters, we might snicker & joke every time we might meet. Like Baltimore years in the past, THE WIRE introduced us collectively and immortalized Omar & Bunk in that ‘scene’ on a park bench. However for us we aimed to take that second in time collectively and say one thing about Black males. Our battle with ourselves, internally, and one another. For me & Mike we had nothing however respect. So to you, my brother Mike, there’s a small consolation that I do know, you knew how a lot we beloved you.”
Williams was discovered lifeless at his house in Brooklyn on Monday. He was 54.
“I keep in mind the occasions you’d come on set even if you weren’t on the decision sheet. Simply to share a hug. To cheer us on. Strolling in just like the King that you simply had been. For only a flash to present some love — then gone. I keep in mind nights out in NYC that summer time and the way you had been so beloved by the parents in your metropolis. I keep in mind our work on the work, all the time linked and speaking and excavating and constructing since you had been so open and able to give your all. I keep in mind you sending me an image of your self as a younger man and sharing with me that the boys whose story we had been telling had been a mirrored image of you — and we had been going to get it proper,” Duvernay wrote.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. wrote, “Shocked and saddened by the dying of Michael Okay Williams. One of many nicest brothers on the planet with the largest coronary heart. An incredible actor and soul. Might you RIP. God bless.”
Aisha Tyler wrote, “Michael Okay Williams was a gorgeous, passionate, expansive soul. I felt so fortunate to have identified him, and we had been all so lucky to have loved his unbelievable expertise. He burned so very shiny. Relaxation in energy, MKW. You’ll endlessly be The King.”
