“The Wire” actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71.
Over the years, the veteran star was best known for roles in “The Wire,” “Veep,” “Your Honor” and “The Residence.”
Whitlock’s manager, Brian Liebman took to Instagram to share the sad news, penning: “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him — you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.”
Liebman also told Deadline that his client passed away peacefully after battling a short illness.
Along with various television credits, Whitlock was also a fixture in several Spike Lee movies.
The “Cedar Rapids” actor landed his first gig in 1987 on CBS’ drama “Cagney & Lacey.” Other credits included playing the corrupt Senator Clayton “Clay” Davis on “The Wire.”
Whitlock starred in all five seasons of the crime drama, first as a recurring character in Seasons one through four before landing a main role in Season five.
Whitlock’s death comes on the heels of his co-star James Ransone, who played Ziggy Sobotka on“The Wire” passing away earlier this month age 46.
Ransone died by suicide in Los Angeles, per the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
The actor was a married father of two. His wife Jamie McPhee posted a fund-raiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in her social media profile following his passing.
Ransone’s cause of death was listed as “hanging,” while his place of death was listed as “shed.”
