Isiah Whitlock Jr., the acclaimed character actor best known for his unforgettable turn as corrupt state senator Clay Davis on The Wire, has died. He was 71.
Whitlock passed away on Tuesday in New York, Variety confirmed. His manager, Brian Liebman, announced the news on Instagram, writing, “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.”
Liebman told Deadline that the actor died peacefully following a short illness. He added, “Isiah was a brilliant actor and even better person. He was loved by all who had the pleasure of working with or knowing him. He will be greatly missed.”
Whitlock was born in South Bend, Indiana, and a guest appearance on CBS’s Cagney and Lacey in 1987 was among his first screen roles. His work in TV also included the Law & Order franchise, with multiple episodes each on Special Victims Unit and Criminal Intent.
Whitlock’s legacy is inseparable from his signature, elongated delivery of “sheeeee-it,” a line that became iconic through The Wire and entered the pop culture lexicon. What began in earlier Spike Lee films was embraced by the HBO series’ writers and immortalized through Whitlock’s commanding performance. He often joked that fans stopped him daily just to hear it — a testament to how deeply his work resonated.
Beyond The Wire, Whitlock brought sharp gravitas and dry wit to Veep, portraying Secretary of Defense George Maddox across multiple seasons. Whether playing politicians, doctors, or authority figures with moral rot beneath the surface, he brought texture and humanity to every role.
In movies, he was known for his collaborations with Oscar-winning director Lee, appearing in six of his films: 25th Hour (2002), She Hate Me (2004), Red Hook Summer (2012), Chi-Raq (2015), BlacKkKlansman (2018), and Da 5 Bloods (2020).
Lee took to Instagram to pay tribute to Whitlock, writing: “Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS.”
He added: “ISIAH WHITLOCK JR. (September 13, 1954-December 30, 2025). My Beautiful Brother Shined In These Spike Lee Joints-DA 5 BLOODS (2020). BLACKKKLANSMAN (2018). SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT-SERIES (2017). CHI-RAQ (2015). RED HOOK SUMMER (2012). SHE HATE ME (2004). 25th HOUR (2002).”
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