Isiah Whitlock Jr., a prominent actor best known for his memorable performances in the HBO series The Wire and Veep, has passed away at the age of 71. Whitlock’s death occurred on Tuesday in New York after a brief illness, as confirmed by his manager Brian Liebman in an email to the Associated Press.
Whitlock gained widespread recognition for his role as the openly corrupt state Senator Clay Davis on The Wire, appearing in 25 episodes throughout its five seasons. Senator Davis became a fan-favorite character, particularly known for his iconic catchphrase "sheee-it," which Whitlock delivered with a unique charm in moments of triumph and clarity. The phrase was first introduced in Whitlock's debut collaboration with director Spike Lee in the film The 25th Hour in 2002, where his character, a detective, discovers drugs hidden in a couch.
Renowned filmmaker Spike Lee expressed his grief over the loss, stating, "It’s a big, big, big loss. I'm going to miss him for the rest of my life." Lee emphasized the strong bond they shared over the years, having collaborated on several projects. Over the course of their partnership, Whitlock featured in four other Lee films, including She Hate Me (2004), Red Hook Summer (2012), Chi-Raq (2015), BlacKkKlansman (2018), and Da 5 Bloods (2020).
Lee fondly reflected on the time he spent with Whitlock while shooting Da 5 Bloods in Thailand and cherished the last occasion they met during a screening of Kiss of the Spider Woman earlier this year. "He was just a beautiful, beautiful soul," Lee said, noting that Whitlock brought joy and positivity to those around him, making others feel good in his presence. Lee highlighted Whitlock's remarkable comedic talents, both on-screen and off, remarking, "He was hilarious. That was just his nature, he made people laugh. Everybody was in on the joke."
Whitlock’s passing marks a significant loss for the The Wire community, as he is the second notable star from the series to die in recent weeks, following the death of actor James Ransone. A native of South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock attended Southwest Minnesota State University, where he played football and studied theater. An injury led him to transition from sports to acting, prompting a move to San Francisco to pursue opportunities in theater.
Whitlock began his career with small television roles in shows like Cagney & Lacey during the late 1980s. He also had minor roles in the 1990 films Goodfellas and Gremlins 2: The New Batch. After The Wire, he continued his television journey with another HBO series, Veep, where he portrayed Secretary of Defense George Maddox for three seasons, a character who contended against Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Selina Meyer in presidential primaries.
David Simon, the creator of The Wire, also paid tribute to Whitlock, recognizing not only his acting skills but also his character. He stated, "As fine an actor as he was, Isiah was an even better spirit and the greatest gentleman." Whitlock's contributions to the entertainment industry and his ability to bring laughter and warmth to those around him will be deeply missed.
