Back in the 2000s, Michael K. Williams was one of the busiest TV actors in Hollywood. Hailing from a humble beginning in Brooklyn, the National Black Theatre alumni rose to prominence for portraying Omar Little on HBO's The Wire. It's been hailed as one of the best drama series of all time, amassing two Primetime Emmy nominations and more.
That said, since the late actor departed the series, he had ventured into many other things in his career. He made his production debut, launched a company, won another Emmy, and tried voice-acting in video games. To sum it up, here's a look at what Michael K. Williams life was like after The Wire.
8 He Starred On HBO's 'Boardwalk Empire'
In addition to The Wire, the celebrated actor was also known for portraying Albert "Chalky" White on HBO's Boardwalk Empire. In fact, during the same years, he was close to joining Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained for the titular role but later left due to scheduling conflicts with the HBO show.
The drama, which was exec-produced by the likes of Martin Scorsese, Mark Wahlberg, and more, saw the New York actor portraying a powerful gangster in Atlantic City. Again, the show was a big success, accumulating back-to-back Primetime Emmy Awards nominations for the Outstanding Drama Series in 2011 and 2012.
7 Michael K. Williams Portrayed Jack Gee In Bessie Smith's Biopic & Won An Emmy
In 2015, Dee Rees recruited the late actor for her Primetime Emmy Awards-winning TV film, Bessie. The biopic film centers around the ups and downs of the legendary blues singer into becoming "The Empress of the Blues." Sharing the stage with Queen Latifah in this film, Williams portrayed the legendary singer's husband.
6 Ventured Into Voice-Acting For Video Games
Acting is one thing, but portraying a character through voice acting and motion capture is another. For the late actor, he made his debut in video games in 2014 as Sgt. Kimble "Irish" Graves on EA & DICE's war game hit Battlefield 4. He would later reprise his role in the forthcoming Battlefield 2042, coming to stores in October 2021. Albeit it will be merely multiplayer, his face likeness and voice will be used thoroughly.
5 Michael K. Williams Worked With Vice News
In addition to his impressive acting portfolio, Michael K. Williams also worked on documentaries. In 2016, he teamed up with Vice News for an episode titled Black Market with Michael K. Williams where he embarked on a journey to some of the world's most dangerous cities of illicit trades: guns, thieves, poachers, and more. Two years later, he exposed the juvenile justice crisis in America in the "Raised in the System" episode.
4 Exec-Produced A Film Under His Production Banner
In 2012, Williams and his Freedome Productions company made their first foray in films with Snow on tha Bluff. The found footage-style drama centered around "everything that is wrong with the hood," starring Curtis Snow, a real-life Atlanta dealer. Williams played more of an executive producer role in the film.
"Curtis got arrested five times in the process of shooting the movie. He and I got arrested together once while shooting the movie," director Damon Russell talked to Filmmaker Magazine about the creative process of the film. "That part, as crazy as it sounds, is truly what was going on."
3 Michael K. Williams Dated Tasha Smith
Speaking of his personal life, Williams had dated fellow actress Tasha Smith. The pair made their relationship Instagram-official back in 2019, when the Boston Common actress, writing, "Nothing makes me happier!!!!! The love of my life. This man gives me goose bumps!!!!!."
The actor also took to Instagram a year later to post a picture of the pair, writing a cryptic caption and seemingly confirming their relationship, "I say word is born cause what I speak I manifest #lawofattraction."
2 Won Another Emmy With 'Lovecraft Country'
During his lifetime, Williams still showed no sign of slowing down. Back in 2020, he was cast as hot-headed and secretive father Montrose Freeman on HBO's Lovecraft Country. The final TV performance of the actor landed him the Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series from Critics' Choice Television Awards earlier this year. Several other noms, including for the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series from Primetime Emmy, are still currently pending.
1 Wrapped Up An Upcoming Thriller & Several Other Projects
Before his sudden death on September 6 this year, Michael K. Williams had wrapped up several forthcoming projects. The actor had made his final performance on 892, an upcoming Abi Damaris Corbin-directed thriller, alongside the likes of John Boyega, Connie Britton, and more. Another posthumous release, Surrounded, will be released later through Bron Studios and Lionsgate. Rest easy.
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