Isiah Whitlock Jr., the actor well-known for his role as Senator Clay Davis in “The Wire,” has passed away at the age of 71. His manager, Brian Liebman, shared that Whitlock passed away peacefully in New York on Tuesday after a brief illness.
Whitlock’s portrayal of a corrupt politician in “The Wire” earned him much recognition. Liebman remembered Whitlock as a brilliant actor and a kind person, saying he will be greatly missed.
Beyond “The Wire,” Whitlock appeared in other notable productions. He played George Maddox, the U.S. Secretary of Defense, in “Veep,” and he worked with Spike Lee on several films, including “BlacKkKlansman” and “Da 5 Bloods.”
Whitlock was also known for his distinctive catchphrase, “sheeeeeit,” which originated during his role in “25th Hour.” The line became so popular that it was incorporated into his character in “The Wire.”
His career spanned various genres, including a role in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.” Whitlock’s final television appearance was in Netflix’s “The Residence,” which premiered earlier this year. He also contributed his voice to Pixar’s upcoming animated movie, “Hoppers,” set to release in 2026.
