Isiah Whitlock Jr., ‘The Wire’ actor and Spike Lee collaborator, dies at 71

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I’m very sad to report the passing of Isiah Whitlock Jr., a truly memorable character actor. You probably know him best as Senator Clay Davis from “The Wire,” but he was a frequent collaborator with Spike Lee, appearing in films like “BlacKkKlansman” and “Da 5 Bloods.” He was 71 years old, and his work will be missed.

Brian Liebman, Whitlock’s manager, announced his death in a post on Instagram Tuesday.

I’m deeply saddened to share that my friend and client, Isiah Whitlock Jr., has passed away. He was a truly wonderful person and a remarkably talented actor – everyone who met him loved him. We’re heartbroken and will miss him dearly. May his memory be a blessing.

Liebman told Deadline that Whitlock died peacefully in New York after a short illness.

Whitlock, originally from South Bend, Indiana, once hoped to play professional football. In a 2021 interview with NPR, he explained that his college career at Southwest Minnesota State University was cut short by injuries, including concussions and broken ankles.

It just didn’t feel right anymore, so I started hanging around the theater department. After getting a part in “The Crucible,” I’ve been constantly working ever since.

After graduating in 1976, Whitlock joined the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.

When I first started following this actor’s work, he was doing a lot of guest spots on those police and crime shows – you know, the procedural dramas. He was even in a couple of different versions of “Law & Order,” including “Special Victims Unit” and “Criminal Intent.” It’s funny to look back and see where everyone starts, right?

He was best known for his role as the crooked Maryland State Senator Clay Davis on HBO’s “The Wire.” His slow, deliberate use of the curse word “s—” became a particularly memorable part of the show’s 60 episodes.

Following small roles in several short-lived TV shows like “New Amsterdam” on Fox, “The Unusuals” on ABC, and “Chaos” on CBS, Whitlock returned to HBO with a recurring part on the satirical comedy “Veep.” He played George Maddox, the Secretary of Defense and a presidential hopeful.

Whitlock had a long and successful television career, appearing in popular shows like “The Good Wife,” “Elementary,” “Louie,” “Atlanta,” and “Gotham,” as well as “The Carmichael Show.” He concluded his work in television with his role as Chief of Police Larry Dokes in the 2025 Netflix series, “The Residence.”

Whitlock acted in the 2023 black comedy horror film “Cocaine Bear” and collaborated with director Spike Lee on several movies, including “She Hate Me” (2004), “Chi-Raq” (2015), “BlacKkKlansman” (2018), and “Da 5 Bloods” (2020).

The director posted a photo of himself with Isiah Whitlock on Instagram, announcing Whitlock’s death and offering his condolences. He wrote, “Today I learned of the passing of my dear beloved brother Isiah Whitlock. God Bless.”

After his death, two films Whitlock worked on are scheduled to be released: the Pixar animated movie “Hoppers” in 2026, and “The Body Is Water,” an Irish American film directed by Vicky Wight.

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2025-12-31 06:01