Content deleted Content added
rephrased; added artistry and legacy |
|||
| (5 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown) | |||
Line 29:
==Career==
=== 1994–2001: Early career and acting debut ===
Williams worked for [[Pfizer]] pharmaceuticals as a [[Temporary work|temp]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/28/755021596/no-longer-omar-actor-michael-k-williams-on-lucky-breaks-and-letting-go|title=No Longer Omar: Actor Michael K. Williams On Lucky Breaks And Letting Go|last1=Gross|first1=Terry|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]|quote=Yeah, so I went and got a job at Pfizer pharmaceuticals. Like, I was a temp job, and I worked there for a year.|date=August 28, 2019|access-date=August 14, 2021|archive-date=August 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210815022634/https://www.npr.org/2019/08/28/755021596/no-longer-omar-actor-michael-k-williams-on-lucky-breaks-and-letting-go|url-status=live}}</ref> However, inspired by ''[[Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814]]'', he left school and quit his job, against the wishes of his family, to pursue a career as a dancer. During a year in which he was intermittently homeless, Williams visited record labels and dance studios looking for work. He got a job as a background dancer with singer [[Kym Sims]], which led to more work appearing as a dancer in music videos and on tours with artists such as [[George Michael]] and [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], as well as some modeling work. He also choreographed [[Crystal Waters]]' 1994 single "[[100% Pure Love]]".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18299087|title=Michael K. Williams: He's Only Playing Tough|work=NPR.org|access-date=September 13, 2018|quote=Williams began to work (in these videos) with some of the biggest names in the business such as Madonna and Crystal Waters|archive-date=June 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180618203202/https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18299087|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="WBEZ">{{cite news |title=Wikipedia Files: Michael K. Williams (Omar from 'The Wire') |first1=Justin |last1=Kaufmann |url=http://www.wbez.org/blog/justin-kaufmann/2011-09-23/wikipedia-files-michael-k-williams-omar-wire-92391 |newspaper=[[WBEZ]] |date=September 23, 2011 |access-date=September 23, 2011 |archive-date=December 25, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131225073437/http://www.wbez.org/blog/justin-kaufmann/2011-09-23/wikipedia-files-michael-k-williams-omar-wire-92391 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Williams had a
===2002–2008: Breakthrough with ''The Wire''===
[[File:Michael K Williams Harvard 2010.jpg|thumb|Williams at Harvard University for a panel discussion on ''The Wire'', November 8, 2010]]
Line 40 ⟶ 41:
For his portrayal of Omar, Williams was named by ''[[USA Today]]'' as "one of ten reasons they still love television". The magazine praised Omar for his uniqueness as a character, and Williams for bringing wit and humor to the portrayal.<ref name = "USA"/> Omar has been named as one of the first season's richest characters, a [[Robin Hood]] of Baltimore's west side projects. The ''[[Baltimore City Paper]]'' named the character one of their top ten reasons not to cancel the show and called him "arguably the show's single greatest achievement".<ref name = "BC2"/> In 2007, he was nominated for an [[NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series]] for his role as Omar.<ref name="Hollywood Reporter Image 2007">{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/features/e3i1df4dfd4706f9fc31fefc3974392be1d |title=2007 Image Award nominees and winners |access-date=November 5, 2007 |publisher=Hollywood Reporter |year=2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070315204254/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/features/e3i1df4dfd4706f9fc31fefc3974392be1d |archive-date=March 15, 2007}}</ref>
Williams pursued the role because he was intrigued by Omar's contradictory nature.<ref name = "HT2"/> He felt Omar's popularity stemmed from his honesty, lack of materialism, individuality and his adherence to his strict code.<ref name = "HT2"/> He felt that the role has been a breakthrough in terms of bringing attention to him and getting further roles.<ref name="After Elton">{{cite web|first1=Michael |last1=Ricci |title=The Wire's Michael K. Williams on Playing Gay |publisher=After Elton |access-date=September 20, 2007 |url=http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/people/2006/9/williams2.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718095946/http://www.afterelton.com/archive/elton/people/2006/9/williams2.html |archive-date=July 18, 2012 }}</ref> Williams received both positive and negative reactions to Omar's homosexuality and felt that he was successful in challenging attitudes and provoking discussion with the role.<ref name="After Elton"/> In 2008, then-U.S. Senator [[Barack Obama]] cited ''The Wire'' as his favorite television show, and called Omar his favorite character. About Omar, Obama said, "That's not an endorsement. He's not my favorite person, but he's a fascinating character{{nbsp}}... he's the toughest, baddest guy on the show."<ref name=chitrib2008>{{cite web |url=http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/01/barack-obama-on.html |title=Chicago Tribune: Barack Obama on his favorite TV show |publisher=Featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com |date=January 14, 2008 |access-date=August 7, 2012 |archive-date=October 27, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027042032/http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2008/01/barack-obama-on.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
Williams had a recurring role on [[J. J. Abrams]]' ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''. He also had a recurring role on the Abrams-produced ''[[Six Degrees (TV series)|Six Degrees]]''.<ref name="After Elton"/> He made brief appearances on ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' (playing two different characters on two different seasons), ''[[Boston Legal]]'', ''[[The Sopranos]]'', ''[[Law & Order]]'' (playing three different characters on three different seasons), ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' (also playing two different characters on two different seasons), ''[[Human Giant]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2008/01/omar_comes_to_mtv_aziz_ansari.html |title=Omar Comes to MTV: Aziz Ansari Reports on the 'Wire'–'Human Giant' Crossover |publisher=Vulture.com |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906211708/https://www.vulture.com/2008/01/omar_comes_to_mtv_aziz_ansari.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Third Watch]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Berman|first=Marc|title='The Wire' Star Michael K. Williams Dies At 54|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2021/09/06/the-wire-star-michael-k-williams-dies-at-54/|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914134429/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2021/09/06/the-wire-star-michael-k-williams-dies-at-54/|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams appeared in ''[[The Kill Point]]'' as recurring guest star Q, a police sniper, alongside ''The Wire'' co-stars [[J. D. Williams]], [[Michael Hyatt]] and [[Leo Fitzpatrick]]. He auditioned for the starring role of Mr. Cat but was forced to take a smaller role due to scheduling conflicts; the part of Mr. Cat went to J. D. Williams instead.<ref name="Star-Ledger">{{cite web| first1 = Alan |last1 = Sepinwall| year = 2007| title = 'The Kill Point' proves formulas can pay off| work = New Jersey Star Ledger| access-date = September 5, 2007| url = http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/sepinwall/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1187931699223980.xml&coll=1| archive-date = September 29, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102709/http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/sepinwall/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1187931699223980.xml&coll=1| url-status = live}}</ref> Williams played a Boston area detective named Devin Amronklin in the 2007 film ''[[Gone, Baby, Gone]]''. The film is based on a novel by [[Dennis Lehane]], who has written for ''The Wire'', and was adapted and directed by [[Ben Affleck]]. Amronklin is a recurring character in Lehane's Kenzie-Genarro series of books. Williams said that he enjoyed working with Affleck and characterized him as a passionate and hands-on director.<ref name="After Elton"/> Williams played Teddy, the former boyfriend of Nikki Tru ([[Kerry Washington]]) in the [[Chris Rock]] film ''[[I Think I Love My Wife]]''. He played James, a policeman, in singer [[R. Kelly]]'s video for "[[Trapped in the Closet]]". He also appeared in [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]]'s "Dreams" and "How We Do" music videos, [[Tony Yayo]]'s "It's a Stick Up" music video and [[Cam'ron]]'s film ''[[Killa Season]]'', as well as [[Trick Daddy]]'s video "Tuck Your Ice In", [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]]'s "How We Do", Sheek Louch's "Good Love", and Young Jeezy's "Bury me a G" alongside his ''The Wire'' co-star [[Hassan Johnson]]. Williams played the role of The Thief in the 2009 film ''[[The Road (2009 film)|The Road]]'', an adaptation of the [[Cormac McCarthy]] novel [[The Road|of the same name]].<ref name="NYTIMES">{{cite news| first1 = Charles |last1 = McGrath| title = 'At the End of the World, Honing the Father-Son Dynamic| work = The New York Times| access-date = May 26, 2008| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/movies/27road.html| date = May 27, 2008| archive-date = January 5, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180105100733/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/movies/27road.html| url-status = live}}</ref> ▼
=== 2009–2020: Established work and final roles ===
During his portrayal of Omar, Williams went by his character's name and developed a habit of smoking [[cannabis]] and an addiction to [[cocaine]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/michael-k-williams-cocaine_n_1854966.html|title='The Wire' Alum Admits Past Cocaine Addiction|website=The Huffington Post|date=September 4, 2012|access-date=March 10, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305095111/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/michael-k-williams-cocaine_n_1854966.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams lived part-time in [[Newark, New Jersey]] using drugs, but sought help from a ministry in neighboring [[Irvington, New Jersey|Irvington]], which he credited for helping him during the production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2021/09/actor-michael-k-williams-who-led-double-life-in-nj-during-height-of-his-fame-found-dead.html|title=Actor Michael K. Williams, who led double life in N.J. during height of his fame, found dead|agency=[[Associated Press]]|first=Matthew|last=Stanmyre|website=[[NJ.com]]|date=September 6, 2021|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=September 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907215705/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/09/actor-michael-k-williams-who-led-double-life-in-nj-during-height-of-his-fame-found-dead.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/inside-jersey/2012/08/the_redemption_of_michael_k_williams.html|title=The Redemption of Michael K. Williams|first1=Kevin |last1=Manahan |publisher=NJ Advance Media |date=August 22, 2012|website=[[NJ.com]]|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204093042/http://www.nj.com/inside-jersey/index.ssf/2012/08/the_redemption_of_michael_k_williams.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/nyregion/michael-k-williams-is-more-than-omar-from-the-wire.html|title=Michael K. Williams Is More Than Omar From 'The Wire'|first=Noah|last=Remnick|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119235004/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/nyregion/michael-k-williams-is-more-than-omar-from-the-wire.html|url-status=live}}</ref>▼
▲Williams had a recurring role on [[J. J. Abrams]]' ''[[Alias (TV series)|Alias]]''. He also had a recurring role on the Abrams-produced ''[[Six Degrees (TV series)|Six Degrees]]''.<ref name="After Elton"/> He made brief appearances on ''[[CSI: Crime Scene Investigation]]'' (playing two different characters on two different seasons), ''[[Boston Legal]]'', ''[[The Sopranos]]'', ''[[Law & Order]]'' (playing three different characters on three different seasons), ''[[Law & Order: Special Victims Unit]]'' (also playing two different characters on two different seasons), ''[[Human Giant]]'',<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.vulture.com/2008/01/omar_comes_to_mtv_aziz_ansari.html |title=Omar Comes to MTV: Aziz Ansari Reports on the 'Wire'–'Human Giant' Crossover |publisher=Vulture.com |date=January 16, 2008 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906211708/https://www.vulture.com/2008/01/omar_comes_to_mtv_aziz_ansari.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and ''[[Third Watch]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Berman|first=Marc|title='The Wire' Star Michael K. Williams Dies At 54|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2021/09/06/the-wire-star-michael-k-williams-dies-at-54/|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=Forbes|language=en|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914134429/https://www.forbes.com/sites/marcberman1/2021/09/06/the-wire-star-michael-k-williams-dies-at-54/|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams appeared in ''[[The Kill Point]]'' as recurring guest star Q, a police sniper, alongside ''The Wire'' co-stars [[J. D. Williams]], [[Michael Hyatt]] and [[Leo Fitzpatrick]]. He auditioned for the starring role of Mr. Cat but was forced to take a smaller role due to scheduling conflicts; the part of Mr. Cat went to J. D. Williams instead.<ref name="Star-Ledger">{{cite web| first1 = Alan |last1 = Sepinwall| year = 2007| title = 'The Kill Point' proves formulas can pay off| work = New Jersey Star Ledger| access-date = September 5, 2007| url = http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/sepinwall/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1187931699223980.xml&coll=1| archive-date = September 29, 2007| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070929102709/http://www.nj.com/columns/ledger/sepinwall/index.ssf?/base/columns-0/1187931699223980.xml&coll=1| url-status = live}}</ref> Williams played a Boston area detective named Devin Amronklin in the 2007 film ''[[Gone, Baby, Gone]]''. The film is based on a novel by [[Dennis Lehane]], who has written for ''The Wire'', and was adapted and directed by [[Ben Affleck]]. Amronklin is a recurring character in Lehane's Kenzie-Genarro series of books. Williams said that he enjoyed working with Affleck and characterized him as a passionate and hands-on director.<ref name="After Elton"/>
▲Williams played Teddy, the former boyfriend of Nikki Tru ([[Kerry Washington]]) in the [[Chris Rock]] film ''[[I Think I Love My Wife]]''. He played James, a policeman, in singer [[R. Kelly]]'s video for "[[Trapped in the Closet]]". He also appeared in [[The Game (rapper)|The Game]]'s "Dreams" and "How We Do" music videos, [[Tony Yayo]]'s "It's a Stick Up" music video and [[Cam'ron]]'s film ''[[Killa Season]]'', as well as [[Trick Daddy]]'s video "Tuck Your Ice In", [[Freeway (rapper)|Freeway]]'s "How We Do", Sheek Louch's "Good Love", and Young Jeezy's "Bury me a G" alongside his ''The Wire'' co-star [[Hassan Johnson]]. Williams played the role of The Thief in the 2009 film ''[[The Road (2009 film)|The Road]]'', an adaptation of the [[Cormac McCarthy]] novel [[The Road|of the same name]].<ref name="NYTIMES">{{cite news| first1 = Charles |last1 = McGrath| title = 'At the End of the World, Honing the Father-Son Dynamic| work = The New York Times| access-date = May 26, 2008| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/movies/27road.html| date = May 27, 2008| archive-date = January 5, 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180105100733/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/movies/27road.html| url-status = live}}</ref> In 2010, Williams appeared in the film ''[[Life During Wartime (film)|Life During Wartime]]''. The character he played, Allen, was portrayed by [[Philip Seymour Hoffman]] in the film's predecessor, ''[[Happiness (1998 film)|Happiness]]''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Writer |first=Guest |url=https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2014/10/exclusive-michael-k-williams-talks-kill-the-messenger/ |title=Exclusive: Michael K. Williams Talks 'Kill The Messenger' |publisher=blackfilm.com |date=October 7, 2014 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=August 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200831195918/https://www.blackfilm.com/read/2014/10/exclusive-michael-k-williams-talks-kill-the-messenger/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams starred in the film ''[[A Day in the Life (film)|A Day in the Life]]'', which was directed by, produced by, and starred rapper [[Sticky Fingaz]]. The entire film is a musical with every line being delivered in rap verse. Williams starred in HBO's ''[[Boardwalk Empire]]'' for its five seasons (2010–2014), appearing as Albert "Chalky" White, the leader of 1920s' [[Atlantic City]]'s black community.<ref>{{cite web |first=Terry |last=Gross |url=https://www.npr.org/2019/08/28/755021596/no-longer-omar-actor-michael-k-williams-on-lucky-breaks-and-letting-go |title=No Longer Omar: Actor Michael K. Williams On Lucky Breaks And Letting Go |publisher=NPR |date=August 28, 2019 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906213439/https://www.npr.org/2019/08/28/755021596/no-longer-omar-actor-michael-k-williams-on-lucky-breaks-and-letting-go |url-status=live }}</ref>
[[File:SFPrideParade2016_EddieHernandezPhotography-43_800px.jpg|thumb|left|Williams on the float as the Celebrity Grand Marshal at the 2016 San Francisco Pride Parade]]
Line 55 ⟶ 52:
He was also featured modeling for [[Gap Inc.|The Gap]]'s 2014 fall collection.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.thefashionisto.com/first-look-michael-k-williams-luke-grimes-gap-dress-normal-fall-2014-campaign/ |title=Michael K. Williams + Luke Grimes for GAP 'Dress Normal' Fall 2014 Campaign |publisher=The Fashionisto |date=August 19, 2014 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906205345/https://www.thefashionisto.com/first-look-michael-k-williams-luke-grimes-gap-dress-normal-fall-2014-campaign/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Williams was the voice actor for the character ''Kimble “Irish” Graves'' in [[Battlefield 4]].
On March 9, 2015, it was announced that Williams would star in [[SundanceTV]]'s ''[[Hap and Leonard]],''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundance.tv/blog/2015/03/michael-k-williams-set-to-star-in-sundancetvs-hap-leonard|title=Michael K. Williams Set to Star In SundanceTV's 'HAP & LEONARD'|website=www.sundance.tv|access-date=March 10, 2016|archive-date=March 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311024930/http://www.sundance.tv/blog/2015/03/michael-k-williams-set-to-star-in-sundancetvs-hap-leonard|url-status=live}}</ref> and he stayed with the series for its entire three-season run. Also in 2015, Williams appeared in the music video for "[[The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles]]" by [[Marilyn Manson]].<ref>{{cite web |first1=Brittany |last1=Spanos |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-marilyn-manson-become-mephistopheles-of-los-angeles-185469/ |title=Watch Marilyn Manson Become 'Mephistopheles of Los Angeles' |publisher=Rolling Stone |date=May 11, 2015 |access-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204435/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/watch-marilyn-manson-become-mephistopheles-of-los-angeles-185469/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In 2016, Williams began working with [[Vice News]], hosting a VICELAND program titled ''[[Black Market with Michael K. Williams|Black Market]]''. In this series, he visits various clandestine markets to explore how they operate while investigating the circumstances that generate their clientele.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/columnists/zurawik/bs-ae-zontv-viceland-michael-k-williams-20160701-story.html|title=Viceland trades on Michael K. Williams' Omar persona in sensationalistic 'Black Market'|first=David|last=Zurawik|website=baltimoresun.com|date=July 2016 |access-date=September 6, 2021|archive-date=September 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906204438/https://www.baltimoresun.com/opinion/columnists/zurawik/bs-ae-zontv-viceland-michael-k-williams-20160701-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, Williams again worked with the Vice team. In "Raised in the System", the extended premiere episode of the sixth season of HBO's Emmy-winning weekly news magazine series [[Vice (TV series)|''Vice'']], Williams embarked on a personal journey to expose the root of the American mass incarceration crisis: the juvenile justice system.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hbo.com/vice/season-06/raised-in-the-system|title=Raised in the System|access-date=September 13, 2020|archive-date=August 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808183318/https://www.hbo.com/vice/season-06/raised-in-the-system|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams was originally cast as Dryden Vos, a crime lord, in ''[[Solo: A Star Wars Story]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/michael-kenneth-williams-joins-young-han-solo-film|title=Michael Kenneth Williams joins young Han Solo film|publisher=StarWars.com|date=March 6, 2017|access-date=March 6, 2017|archive-date=March 7, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307203948/http://www.starwars.com/news/michael-kenneth-williams-joins-young-han-solo-film|url-status=live}}</ref> but exited the role after being unable to return for re-shoots due to scheduling conflicts with the film ''[[The Red Sea Diving Resort]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/michael-k-williams-han-solo-movie-roll-cut-reshoots-1202153750/|title=Michael K. Williams' Rome Cut from 'Star Wars' Han Solo Film Amid Reshoots|last=Blyth|first=Antonia|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=August 22, 2017|access-date=August 22, 2017|archive-date=August 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170822184743/http://deadline.com/2017/08/michael-k-williams-han-solo-movie-roll-cut-reshoots-1202153750/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Paul Bettany]] was cast in his place, with the character being reworked from a motion-capture alien to a human.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/han-solo-paul-bettany-casting/|title=The Han Solo Spin-Off Adds Paul Bettany to Replace Michael K. Williams|last=Hall|first=Jacob|publisher=[[/Film]]|date=September 1, 2017|access-date=September 2, 2017|archive-date=April 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414000851/https://www.slashfilm.com/han-solo-paul-bettany-casting/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2020, he played Montrose Freeman on the HBO series ''[[Lovecraft Country (TV series)|Lovecraft Country]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Michael K. Williams Channeled His Own 'Trauma' to Play Montrose in Lovecraft Country: 'It Was Painful' |url=https://people.com/tv/michael-k-williams-channeled-his-own-trauma-to-play-montrose-in-lovecraft-country |access-date=September 6, 2021 |work=PEOPLE |date=October 18, 2020 |archive-date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906221210/https://people.com/tv/michael-k-williams-channeled-his-own-trauma-to-play-montrose-in-lovecraft-country/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
== Personal life ==
▲During his portrayal of Omar, Williams went by his character's name and developed a habit of smoking [[cannabis]] and an addiction to [[cocaine]] in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/michael-k-williams-cocaine_n_1854966.html|title='The Wire' Alum Admits Past Cocaine Addiction|website=The Huffington Post|date=September 4, 2012|access-date=March 10, 2016|archive-date=March 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305095111/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/04/michael-k-williams-cocaine_n_1854966.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Williams lived part-time in [[Newark, New Jersey]] using drugs, but sought help from a ministry in neighboring [[Irvington, New Jersey|Irvington]], which he credited for helping him during the production.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/news/2021/09/actor-michael-k-williams-who-led-double-life-in-nj-during-height-of-his-fame-found-dead.html|title=Actor Michael K. Williams, who led double life in N.J. during height of his fame, found dead|agency=[[Associated Press]]|first=Matthew|last=Stanmyre|website=[[NJ.com]]|date=September 6, 2021|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=September 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210907215705/https://www.nj.com/news/2021/09/actor-michael-k-williams-who-led-double-life-in-nj-during-height-of-his-fame-found-dead.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nj.com/inside-jersey/2012/08/the_redemption_of_michael_k_williams.html|title=The Redemption of Michael K. Williams|first1=Kevin |last1=Manahan |publisher=NJ Advance Media |date=August 22, 2012|website=[[NJ.com]]|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=December 4, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204093042/http://www.nj.com/inside-jersey/index.ssf/2012/08/the_redemption_of_michael_k_williams.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/nyregion/michael-k-williams-is-more-than-omar-from-the-wire.html|title=Michael K. Williams Is More Than Omar From 'The Wire'|first=Noah|last=Remnick|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=September 8, 2021|archive-date=January 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119235004/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/30/nyregion/michael-k-williams-is-more-than-omar-from-the-wire.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Death==
On September 6, 2021, at the age of 54, Williams was found dead by his nephew at his apartment in the [[Williamsburg, Brooklyn|Williamsburg]] neighborhood of Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web |last=White |first=Abbey |title=Michael K. Williams, 'The Wire' actor, has died at 54 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/michael-k-williams-the-wire-star-dead-at-54-1235009002/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 6, 2021 |date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906214332/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/michael-k-williams-the-wire-star-dead-at-54-1235009002/ |url-status=live |archive-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |title=Michael K. Williams, Star Of 'The Wire' And 'Lovecraft Country,' Dies At Age 54 |url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/michael-k-williams-dead-age-54-the-wire-lovecraft-country-dies-at-age-54-1234827926/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=September 6, 2021 |date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906214413/https://deadline.com/2021/09/michael-k-williams-dead-age-54-the-wire-lovecraft-country-dies-at-age-54-1234827926/ |url-status=live |archive-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Morales |first=Mark |title=Michael K. Williams, 'Wire' actor, found dead |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/06/entertainment/michael-k-williams/index.html |work=[[CNN]] |access-date=September 6, 2021 |date=September 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210906220314/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/06/entertainment/michael-k-williams/index.html |url-status=live |archive-date=September 6, 2021}}</ref><ref name="NYTimes"/> On September 24, the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City ruled it a death by overdose and confirmed that Williams died of a combination of [[cocaine]], [[fentanyl]], [[heroin]], and [[parafluorofentanyl]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moshtaghian |first=Artemis |date=September 24, 2021 |title=Michael K. Williams' cause of death determined by medical examiner |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/entertainment/michael-k-williams-cause-of-death/index.html |access-date=2022-03-08 |website=CNN |language=en |archive-date=March 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220317231733/https://www.cnn.com/2021/09/24/entertainment/michael-k-williams-cause-of-death/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/09/michael-k-williams-cause-of-death-accidental-overdose-1234844098/|title=Michael K. Williams' Died From Accidental Overdose, New York Medical Examiner Says|work=Deadline Hollywood|first1=Rosy|last1=Cordero|first2=Patrick|last2=Hipes|date=September 24, 2021|access-date=September 24, 2021|archive-date=September 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210924194521/https://deadline.com/2021/09/michael-k-williams-cause-of-death-accidental-overdose-1234844098/|url-status=live}}</ref> His private funeral was held at [[St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)|St. Stephen's Episcopal Cathedral]] in [[Harrisburg, Pennsylvania]], where his mother lives.<ref>{{cite web|date=September 14, 2021|title='The Wire' actor's private funeral service will be held in Harrisburg, his adopted city|url=https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/09/the-wire-actors-private-funeral-service-will-be-held-in-harrisburg-his-adopted-city.html|access-date=September 14, 2021|website=pennlive|language=en|archive-date=September 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210914112417/https://www.pennlive.com/news/2021/09/the-wire-actors-private-funeral-service-will-be-held-in-harrisburg-his-adopted-city.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Baltimore Ravens]] played a tribute to Williams by playing his character Omar Little's whistle of the song "[[The Farmer in the Dell]]" as part of the team intro all throughout the [[M&T Bank Stadium]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/20/ravens-honor-late-michael-k-williams-with-the-wire-tribute/ |title=Ravens honor late Michael K. Williams with 'The Wire' tribute |work=USA today |date=September 20, 2021 |access-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-date=June 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630034923/https://ravenswire.usatoday.com/2021/09/20/ravens-honor-late-michael-k-williams-with-the-wire-tribute/ |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Félix Bautista (baseball)|Félix Bautista]] of the [[Baltimore Orioles]] began entering the game to Omar's whistle as a tribute.<ref>{{cite news |last=Kostka |first=Andy |date=August 18, 2022 |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-felix-bautista-wire-t-shirt-omar-little-felix-comin-20220818-a4pfopygmreb3bdxzer4mw5mim-story.html |title=Orioles closer Félix Bautista is embracing Michael K. Williams' Omar whistle. Now he has his own T-shirt. |work=The Baltimore Sun |access-date=December 23, 2022 |archive-date=December 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205182034/https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/orioles/bs-sp-felix-bautista-wire-t-shirt-omar-little-felix-comin-20220818-a4pfopygmreb3bdxzer4mw5mim-story.html |url-status=live }}</ref>
In February 2022, police arrested four men in connection with Williams' death.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60238194 |title=Four charged in drug death of The Wire actor Michael K Williams |work=BBC News |date=February 2, 2022 |access-date=February 3, 2022 |archive-date=December 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221206171453/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-60238194 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2023, drug dealer Irvin Cartagena pleaded guilty to selling the mix of heroin and fentanyl to Williams
== Artistry and legacy ==
Line 571 ⟶ 569:
| Montrose Freeman
| Main cast
|}
=== Theatre ===
{| class="wikitable unsortable"
|-
! scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Title
! scope="col" | Role
! scope="col" | Venue
! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Ref.
|-
|2007 || ''The 24 Hour Plays'' || Gehring || [[American Airlines Theatre]], [[Broadway (theatre)|Broadway]] || <ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.playbill.com/production/the-24-hour-plays-2007broadway-american-airlines-theatre-2007|title= The 24 Hour Plays (Broadway, 2007)|website= Playbill|accessdate= May 19, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|}
| |||