Celebrating the Life and Times of Dancer/Actor, Michael K. Willimas, 9/6/21
How one man’s talent and zest for life touched so many near and far, famous and not as famous people
Michael K. Williams, 54 years old, was on the road to possibly winning his first Emmy Award as he was known for his work on “The Wire” and “Lovecrat Country”, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment, September 6, 2021. He had been a member of the HBO family for more than twenty years and had received four nominations, for “When They See Us,” “Vice,” “The Night of” and “Bessie.” He received much notoriety in his role as a drug-money Robin Hood named Omar Little on “The Wire” and as Chalky White in “Boardwalk Empire”. His most recent project, “Lovecraft Country” where he played an alcohol father, Montrose Freeman, added to his rooster of great work. Willimas was born November 22, 1966 in Brooklyn, New York and was the youngest of 10 children who grew up in Vanderveer Projects in East Flashbush, New York. His career begun in the entertainment industry as a dancer where he performed as a backup dancer with the likes of George Michael and Madonna. Later was discovered by Tupac Shakur who cast him in the 1996 film “Bullet”, thus begun his acting career.
As a dancer, according to Williams all of his works was comprised of dance, each character had their own muscicality or a playlist. Music helped him to concentrate and breathe life into his characters.
Willimas who had a distinctive facial scar that he received via a razor blade in a bar fight on his 25th birthday became a part of his signature as an actor along with his notable range of characters an actor.
His cause of death may have been drug related but details are forthcoming to be determined by medical examiner. Williams had always been candid about his struggle with drugs over the years about his addition to cocaine while working on “The Wire.”
Prior to this breakout role, he was cast in guest appearances on “The Sopranos” and “Law & Order” to name a few. His character on “The Wire” created him a fan base from 2002 to 2008, the run of the show and earned him the recognition for being one fo the great characters actors of our time. His range of characters laid between a violent offender with tenderness and pathos to the senstitive portrayal of an openly gay man. Fillm credits included “12 Years a Slave” and “Assassin’s Creed.”
In conclusion, Mr. Willimas will be truly missed as he had given his best as an actor and a dancer that others took note and today mourn the lost of a beloved artists along with countless loyal fans.
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