STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Happy Heavenly Birthday! Michael K. Williams’ Five Most Memorable Roles

From his debut as Tupac’s brother to the iconic Omar Little, the actor made a massive impact on Hollywood.

On what would've been his 57th birthday, we remember Michael K. Williams: a versatile actor whose impactful performances resonated on screen, showcasing the depth of humanity in every character.

He began as a street dancer touring with Madonna and George Michael before making his on-screen debut in 1996's "Bullet," starring alongside Tupac Shakur and He. Though his time was brief, Williams left an indelible mark with numerous iconic roles that continue to inspire:

  1. Bullet

    Back in 1996, Williams played the brother of Tupac’s character in the film "Bullet." Williams told The New York Times that the late rapper wanted him to play that role after seeing a Polaroid photo of his headshot.

  2. The Wire

    Williams is perhaps most known for his role as Omar Little on "The Wire," which ran for five seasons. In this career-defining role, he portrayed an openly gay, shotgun-wielding outlaw who made his living robbing drug dealers.

  3. Boardwalk Empire

    Williams followed the success of "The Wire" with his character Chalky White in the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire." In the Prohibition-era mob drama, Chalky was the roughneck boss of a Black organized crime syndicate in Atlantic City.

  4. Night Of

    In 2017, Williams took on the role of Freddy Knight in HBO’s "Night Of." He earned an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a limited series for his portrayal of the Rikers Island inmate.

    See him discussing the role above.

  5. Lovecraft Country

    In 2020, Williams appeared in "Lovecraft County" as Montrose Freeman, a victim of the 1921 Tulsa Massacre who struggles with childhood identity issues. Williams told PEOPLE that he channeled his own trauma to bring that role to life.

    Rest in power, Michael K. Williams.

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.