Isiah Whitlock Jr, the US actor best known for his roles in The Wire and Veep, has died at the age of 71, his manager has confirmed.
“It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr,” his manager, Brian Liebman, said in a statement posted on Instagram. Whitlock died in New York following a short illness.
The actor was widely recognised for his portrayal of a corrupt politician on HBO’s The Wire, where he became known for a distinctive profane catchphrase that he developed himself. Whitlock later said the phrase was inspired by his uncle and had appeared in his earlier work before becoming closely associated with the series.
He also appeared in HBO’s political satire Veep, playing a fictional US defence secretary who runs against the character portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Director Spike Lee, a longtime collaborator, paid tribute to Whitlock, describing him as a “dear beloved brother” and praising both his talent and character. Whitlock appeared in six of Lee’s films, including 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Chi-Raq, BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock had a wide-ranging career across film and television. His film credits included Goodfellas, Pieces of April, Enchanted, Cars 3 and Lightyear, while his television appearances included The Chappelle Show and multiple series within the Law & Order franchise.
Tributes from colleagues highlighted not only his memorable performances but also his warmth and generosity. “If you knew him, you loved him,” Mr Liebman said. “A brilliant actor and an even better person.”
