Michael K. Williams: Omar Little of The Wire and Emmy Nominee Dies at 54

Michael K. Williams was an American actor best known for playing the stick-up man Omar Little on The Wire, a role widely considered one of the greatest in television history. Born Michael Kenneth Williams on November 22, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, he worked as a dancer before turning to acting.

Williams played Omar on The Wire from 2002 to 2008 and Albert "Chalky" White on Boardwalk Empire from 2010 to 2014. He earned five Primetime Emmy nominations, including one for When They See Us in 2019, and starred in HBO's The Night Of in 2016. Tupac Shakur reportedly chose him for the 1996 film Bullet after seeing a photo of him.

Williams was open about his struggles with addiction and advocated for criminal justice reform. In 2008 then-Senator Barack Obama named The Wire his favorite show and Omar his favorite character. Williams died in his Brooklyn apartment on September 6, 2021, at age 54, of an overdose. Remembered for his humanity and his generosity, he gave a voice to characters the screen often ignored.

Achievements: Played Omar Little on The Wire (2002-2008), played Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014), starred in The Night Of (2016), Emmy nominated for When They See Us (2019).

Birth: November 22, 1966 - Brooklyn, New York City.

Profession: Actor.

Interesting Facts: Barack Obama named Omar his favorite character on television. He worked as a dancer before acting.