Veteran actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has passed away at the age of 71 following a short illness. His passing was mourned by his colleagues in the industry who worked with him.
Throughout his illustrious career, he played several scene-stealing supporting characters that resonated among viewers and made him a beloved performer among his peers and fans. He also became a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee.
To celebrate his career, here is our list of his best films and TV shows.
The Wire
Whitlock is known for playing corrupt state senator Clay Davis in the iconic HBO series The Wire. He played him throughout the show's multi-season run and became one of the standouts.
Despite being an antagonistic character, he added a lot of depth and humanity that made him an interesting figure that audiences follow in the story. Not only that, he had the trademark catchphrase, "sheeeeeeeee-it," which made him a fan-favorite character.
25th Hour
In 25th Hour, cornered by the DEA, convicted New York drug dealer Montgomery Brogan reevaluates his life in the 24 remaining hours before facing a seven-year jail term.
While Whitlock played the supporting role of Agent Flood, he still made an impression on the viewers. This is also the first time that he collaborated with Spike Lee and set up their recurring working relationship for the next projects.
Veep
Whitlock notably played the role of George Maddox, the former Secretary of Defense and one of Selina's rivals for the presidential nomination in the later seasons.
The character became a standout in the series, and it was a showcase for Whitlock to showcase his comedic chops. His talent was put to good use throughout his many memorable moments in its run.
Da 5 Bloods
Da 5 Bloods follows four black veterans who battle the forces of man and nature when they return to Vietnam seeking the remains of their fallen squad leader and the gold fortune he helped them hide.
As one of the main leads of the film, this was a great showcase for Whitlock to lend his talent and share the screen alongside his contemporaries. This is arguably his best role on the big screen.
Cocaine Bear
Cocaine Bear follows an oddball group of cops, criminals, tourists, and teens who converge on a Georgia forest where a huge black bear goes on a murderous rampage after unintentionally ingesting cocaine.
This is another comedic showcase for Whitlock, who played the role of Bob the detective. He was a standout because of his hilarious one-liners, perfect timing on delivering the jokes, and memorable moments that made him a favorite among the many characters in the film.
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