Lance Reddick Remembered by ‘The Wire’ Stars Wendell Pierce and Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Lance Reddick at the American Black Film Festival Honors Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 23, 2020 in Beverly Hills, CA — Photo by Jean_Nelson/Deposit Photos

Lance Reddick, a Baltimore-bred actor who rose to prominence playing authority figures on TV and film, is being remembered by friends and former colleagues following his death on Friday in Los Angeles.

Reddick, 60, passed away “suddenly” at his home of natural causes, his publicist Mia Hansen said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

The actor gained a legion of fans for his no-nonsense roles on The Wire and Bosch. He was also known for his work on Fringe, OZ, the John Wick films, and numerous other movies and TV shows.

Related Story: Lance Reddick Dies: ‘Bosch’ and ‘The Wire’ Star Was 60

Lance Reddick and Wendell Pierce on The Wire. (Credit: YouTube/HBO)
Lance Reddick and Wendell Pierce on The Wire. (Credit: YouTube/HBO)

As news of his death spread Friday, those who knew Reddick celebrated his life on social media.

Wendell Pierce, who played Det. William ‘Bunk’ Moreland on The Wire alongside Reddick’s Lt. Cedric Daniels, praised the late actor on Twitter.

“A man of great strength and grace. As talented a musician as he was an actor. The epitome of class. An sudden unexpected sharp painful grief for our artistic family. An unimaginable suffering for his personal family and loved ones. Godspeed my friend. You made your mark here. RIP,” Pierce tweeted.

Isiah Whitlock Jr., who portrayed State Senator Clay Davis on the series, tweeted: “Shocked and saddened by the news that Lance Reddick has passed away. Truly heartbreaking. R.I.P. My friend. You will be missed. God speed.”

David Simon, creator of the Baltimore-set HBO crime drama, added on Twitter: “Consummate professional, devoted collaborator, lovely and gentle man, loyal friend. Could go on, but no, I can’t go on. This is gutting. And way, way, way too soon.”

In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Reddick revealed he originally auditioned to play Bunk on The Wire. He also read for the role of drug addict and police informant Bubbles. He said he was the runner-up for that part, which ultimately went to Andre Royo. Still, Reddick didn’t give up and was eventually cast as Daniels.

“I didn’t even know what character I wanted to play because in the pilot script, the only character that’s obviously prominent is McNulty (Dominic West), and I knew that Bunk was his partner,” Reddick told THR.

The actor has a role in John Wick: Chapter 4, which opens on March 24. The film’s star Keanu Reeves and its director Chad Stahelski mourned Reddick in a joint statement to Variety.

“We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,” the two said.

Reddick was born on June 7, 1962. He is survived by his wife Stephanie Reddick, and children Yvonne Nicole Reddick and Christopher Reddick.


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