Isiah Whitlock Jr., the actor remembered for his roles in The Wire and a number of Spike Lee films, has died aged 71.
The news was confirmed by his manager Brian Liebman, who told Deadline that he passed away peacefully on Tuesday (December 30) after battling a short illness.
He played the corrupt Maryland State Senator Clay Davis in all five seasons of David Simon’s classic HBO drama from 2002 to 2008, memorable for reacting to any negative situation with his trademark “sheeeee-it” response.
In addition, he had a longstanding working relationship with Lee, appearing in six of his feature films: 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Red Hook Summer, Chi-Raq, BlaKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods.
Lee has shared a tribute to Whitlock on social media, posting a photo of them together and writing: “Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS.”
Whitlock was born in South Bend, Indiana on 13 September 1954 and started his acting career at San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater. He soon became a regular presence in television shows such as Law & Order and Cagney & Lacey.
His other standout roles came in political comedy Veep, where he played Secretary of Defense George Maddox, and most recently in Netflix’s White House murder mystery The Residence, which was released earlier this year.
Rest in peace Isiah Whitlock Jr. pic.twitter.com/HdX0Kipy4w
— HBO (@HBO) December 31, 2025
Others to pay tribute include his Veep co-star Tony Hale, who described him as “a wonderful man”, and Andre Royo, who played Bubbles in The Wire, who wrote: “I can’t…another wire brother and friend. This hurts to no end but your memory will live forever in my heart. Hark the sound of an angel soars.”
I can't… another wire brother and friend. This hurts to no end but your memory will live forever in my heart. Hark the sound of an angel soars. #sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Love you legend Isiah Whitlock. #wirefamilyforlife🙏🏿💯— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) December 30, 2025
Whitlock’s manager Brian Liebman told Deadline: “Isiah was a brilliant actor and even better person. He was loved by all who had the pleasure to work with or know him. He will be greatly missed.”