WORLD NEWS | Lance Reddick, ‘The Wire’ and ‘John Wick’ star, dies at 60

NEW YORK, March 18 (AP) — Lance Reddick, a character actor who specialized in portraying intense, icy and potentially sinister authority figures on TV and in movies, including “The Wire,” has died , “Bringing Crisis” and the “John Wick” series.

He is 60 years old.

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Redick’s publicist Mia Hansen said in a statement that Redick died “suddenly” Friday morning, blaming his death on natural causes. Celebrity website TMZ.com first reported his death.

Tributes poured in on social media following the news of Redick’s death, with filmmaker James Gunn tweeting that Redick was “a very nice guy and a very talented actor,” and Redick was on “The Wire” ’ co-star Wendell Pierce tweeted his tribute. “A man of great strength and poise,” he wrote. “As an actor, he’s as much a talented musician as he is. The epitome of class.”

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Redick has often donned suits or crisp uniforms throughout his career, playing taciturn talls and elegant dignitary. He’s best known for his role as outspoken Lt. Cedric Daniels on the hit HBO series “The Wire,” a character agonizingly trapped in the chaotic politics of the Baltimore Police Department.

“I’m an artist at heart. I feel like I’m pretty good at what I do. When I went to drama school, I knew I was at least as talented as the other students, but because I was black and I wasn’t pretty, I Knowing that I had to work hard to be the best version of myself and get noticed,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 2009.

Redick has also played Secret Service agent Philip Breuers on the Fox series “Fringe,” a well-groomed Matthew Abaddon on “Lost,” and Lionsgate’s “John Wick.” The multitalented Continental hotel concierge Charlene in the series, including the fourth installment of the series due out later this month.

“The world of Wick would not be what it is without Lance Reddick and the unparalleled depth he brings to Charon’s humanity and unrelenting charm. Lance leaves an indelible legacy and impressive body of work, but We will remember him as our lovely, happy man, friend and concierge,” Lionsgate said in a statement.

He was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2021 as a chorus member of Regina King’s film “One Night in Miami.” Redick had recurring roles on “Intelligence” and “American Horror Story” and appeared on the show “Bosch,” which ran for seven years.

His upcoming projects include the 20th Century remake of “White People Can’t Dance” and Netflix’s biopic “Shirley” of former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. He’s also slated to star in the “John Wick” spinoff “Ballerina” and “Cane Mutiny Court Martial.”

Born and raised in Baltimore, Redick is a Yale School of Drama graduate who found some success after graduation through cameos or recurring roles on “CSI: Miami” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He also acted in several films, including I Dream of Africa, Fortress Siege and Great Expectations.

Reddick got his career breakthrough in season four of The Wizard of Oz, playing a doomed undercover police officer-turned-addict.

“I was never interested in TV. I always saw it as a means to an end. Like a lot of actors, I was only interested in theater and movies. But Oz changed TV. It was the beginning of HBO’s dominance in quality, Something edgy, arty. Something reminiscent of the great movies of the ’60s and ’70s,” he told The Associated Press in 2011.

“When Oz’s opportunity arose, I jumped at it. When I read The Wire’s pilot, as someone who never wanted to be on TV, I realized I had to be on the show.”

Redick attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he studied classical composition and played the piano. His first album, jazz “Contemplations and Remembrances” was released in 2011.

Redick recurred as CIA Director Jeffrey Tetazu on CBS’ “Intelligence.” In “American Horror Story: Coven,” Redick played Papa Legba, the go-between between humans and the spirit world.

Redick is survived by his wife Stephanie Redick and children Yvonne Nicole Redick and Christopher Fredick. (Associated Press)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from a Syndicated News feed, the content body may not have been modified or edited by LatestLY staff)