‘The Wire’ actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. dead at 71…
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“The Wire” actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71.
Over the years, the veteran star was best recognized for roles in “The Wire,” “Veep,” “Your Honor” and “The Residence.”
Whitlock’s supervisor, Brian Liebman, took to Instagram to share the unhappy news on Tuesday, penning: “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him — you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.”
Isiah Whitlock Jr. attends Peacock’s “Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy” premiere on Oct. 9, 2025. Getty Images
Liebman also told Deadline that his shopper handed away peacefully after battling a brief sickness.
The Post reached out to Whitlock’s rep for remark.
Along with varied tv credit, Whitlock was also a fixture in a number of Spike Lee motion pictures.
A shot of actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. in “The Wire.”
The “Cedar Rapids” actor landed his first gig in 1987 on CBS’ drama “Cagney & Lacey.” Other credit included playing the corrupt Senator Clayton “Clay” Davis on “The Wire.”
Whitlock starred in all 5 seasons of the crime drama, first as a recurring character in Seasons one by way of 4 before touchdown a main function in Season 5.
The critically acclaimed sequence ran from 2002 to 2008 and also starred Dominic West, Michael Kenneth Williams, John Doman, Idris Elba, Wood Harris, Lance Reddick, Wendell Pierce, Frankie Faison and Lawrence Gilliard Jr.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. in “Your Honor.” ©Showtime Networks Inc./Courtesy Everett Collection
Isiah Whitlock in 2017’s “CHIPS.” ©Warner Bros/Courtesy Everett Collection
Throughout his many years lengthy profession, followers will keep in mind the beloved performer for his reoccurring function as Secretary of Defense George Maddox on “Veep” and as a corrupt politician on Showtime’s “Your Honor.”
Whitlock’s last function was in March on Netflix’s homicide thriller present “The Residence.”
Whitlock’s demise comes on the heels of his co-star James Ransone, who performed Ziggy Sobotka on “The Wire” passing away earlier this month at age 46.
Isiah Whitlock Jr. at the “Eden” particular screening event hosted by Vertical at IPIC Theater on August 20, 2025. Variety by way of Getty Images
Ransone, who appeared in 12 episodes of the HBO present in 2003, died by suicide in Los Angeles, per the Los Angeles County medical examiner.
The actor was a married father of two. His spouse Jamie McPhee posted a fund-raiser for the National Alliance on Mental Illness in her social media profile following his passing.
Ransone’s explanation for demise was listed as “hanging,” while his place of demise was listed as “shed.”
A shot of Netflix’s “The Residence.” JESSICA BROOKS/NETFLIX
McPhee also took to Instagram to pen a touching tribute to her late husband.
“I told you I have loved you 1000 times before and I know I will love you again,” she wrote at the time. “You told me – I need to be more like you, and you need to be more like me – and you were so right. Thank you for giving me the greatest gifts – you, Jack and Violet. We are forever.”
In 2021, Ransone got here ahead as a survivor of sexual abuse.
The actor said that his former childhood tutor, Timothy Rualo, sexually abused him on quite a few events.
Cullen Moss, Isiah Whitlock Jr. in “Your Honor.” ©Showtime Networks Inc./Courtesy Everett Collection
The abuse came about at Ransone’s childhood dwelling in Phoenix, Maryland, over the course of six months in 1992.
In his 2021 Instagram submit, Ransone publicly shared the be aware he despatched his alleged abuser.
“We did very little math,” Ransone recounted. “The strongest memory I have of the abuse was washing blood and feces out of my sheets after you left. I remember doing this as a 12 year old because I was too ashamed to tell anyone.”
James Ransone in “The Wire.” HBO
The alleged abuse led to a “lifetime of shame and embarrassment” for Ransone, who reported the accusations to Baltimore County police in March 2020.
A detective told Ransone in September that prosecutors “had no interest in pursuing the matter any further,” according to his e-mail.
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