Isiah Whitlock Jr., Beloved ‘The Wire’ Actor, Dead at 71

Isiah Whitlock Jr., the veteran character actor famed for roles on ‘The Wire’ and ‘Veep,’ has died.

He was 71.

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The news was confirmed moments ago, with tributes already pouring in for the Indiana-born performer whose commanding presence left a lasting mark across television and film.

Whitlock’s manager, Brian Liebman, announced the passing on Instagram, calling him a “brilliant actor and even better person,” adding that he would be “very, very missed.”

The late actor was best known for his portrayal of Clay Davis on ‘The Wire’, where his colorful delivery and now-iconic catchphrase became part of TV history. The role cemented him as one of the series’ most memorable figures.

He’s also notable for his turn in HBO’s ‘Veep.’

A frequent collaborator of Spike Lee, he appeared in films including ‘BlacKkKlansman’, ‘Da 5 Bloods’, ‘25th Hour’, and ‘Chi-Raq.’ His broader résumé also spanned ‘Goodfellas,’ and ‘Enchanted.’ His voice work included Pixar titles like ‘Cars 3’ and ‘Lightyear.’

R.I.P.