Isiah Whitlock Jr, who was known for his memorable acting roles on The Wire and Veep, has died at the age of 71, according to his manager.
It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr, manager Brian Liebman wrote on Instagram.
Whitlock, who also featured in Goodfellas and The Chappelle Show, was a longtime collaborator with director Spike Lee, who also shared a heartfelt tribute to him.
Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS, Lee wrote, alongside a photo of the two men shaking hands.
If you knew him - you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person, Mr. Liebman added. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.
In statements to Hollywood news outlets, Liebman revealed that Whitlock passed away in New York after a short illness.
On The Wire, Whitlock played a corrupt politician, famously known for his profane catchphrase, which he developed based on his uncle, as discussed in a 2008 interview.
He was recognized throughout his career for his elongated version of a common curse word. I was in, I think, Grand Central Station and far away I heard someone say it and they'd be kind of smiling, he recalled. I'm glad people enjoy it.
On Veep, he portrayed a comedic version of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, who runs for office against main character Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus.
Whitlock featured in six films by Spike Lee, including 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Red Hook Summer, Chi-Raq, BlacKkKlansman, and Da 5 Bloods.
A native of South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock also had roles in films like Pieces of April, Enchanted, Cars 3, and Lightyear, alongside roles in the Law and Order franchise.
