Last Updated on March 3, 2023
Who is Michael K Williams?
Michael K Williams was a well-known Hollywood actor known for his excellent portrayal of characters in films. He shot to fame and transitioned into a household name after brilliantly portraying the character of Omar Little on HBO’s crime drama series The Wire.
His distinctive scar on his face became his trademark in the film industry, leading to offers for thug-type roles and launching his Hollywood career. He made several other notable TV appearances, including Law & Order, Boardwalk Empire, Lovecraft Country, The Sopranos, When They See Us, The Night Of, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and many others.
Despite his commendable acting abilities, Williams did not start out as an actor. Instead, he started his career in medicine, working at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals as a temporary employee before quitting to pursue a short-lived career in dancing.
The Hollywood star, however, was announced dead on September 6, 2021, after his nephew found him dead in his Brooklyn Penthouse. While his death shocked his fans, many were curious to know more about him. So, here’s what we know about the life of Michael K Williams.
Quick Facts
| Full Name: | Michael Kenneth Williams |
| Popular Name: | Michael K Williams |
| Gender: | Male |
| Birth Date: | November 22, 1966 – September 6, 2021 |
| Age: | 54 years |
| Parents: | Booker T. Williams (Father), Paula Williams (Mother) |
| Siblings: | Michelle Chambers, Paul Carey |
| Birth Place: | Brooklyn, New York City, United States |
| Nationality: | American |
| Ethnicity: | African-American, Bahamian |
| Education: | George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School, National Black Theatre |
| Marital Status: | Single |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Wife/Spouse: | N/A |
| Children: | Elijah Williams |
| Dating: | N/A |
| Net Worth: | $5 million |
| Source of Wealth: | Actor, Voice Over Artist, Producer |
| Height: | 5ft10 (1.78m) |
| Weight: | 76kg (167 lbs) |
Early Life and Career Information
Michael Kenneth Williams was born on November 22, 1966, to an African-American father and a Bahamian mother in Brooklyn, New York City. He grew up in a rough community, and as a result, he hung out with the wrong crowd during his youth.
Michael went to George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School before enrolling at New York City’s National Black Theatre. He worked at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals before dropping out of school to pursue his dancing career against his family’s wishes.
After appearing in music videos and as a background dancer on concert tours, Williams decided to pursue acting full-time. His breakthrough in the film industry came in his 1996 debut film Bullet as High Top. He co-starred with late American rapper Tupac Shakur, who discovered him and started his acting career.
Michael shot to fame after a single audition for his brilliant portrayal of Omar Little on HBO’s crime drama series The Wire. The show premiered on June 2, 2002, and lasted five seasons with a total of 60 episodes.
His performance in The Wire earned him praise from President Barack Obama and an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series in 2007. It also paved the way for him to appear in other popular shows, including Boardwalk Empire, where he played Chalky White. His other notable film and TV show appearances include: The Night Of, Lovecraft Country, When We Rise, 12 Years a Slave, and Assassin’s Creed.
With a deep gravelly voice, a distinct scar on his face, and charisma, the New York native rose to prominence in the film industry. He received five Emmy nominations for his appearances in Lovecraft Country, When They See Us, Vice, The Night Of, and Bessie.
When he wasn’t making hit shows, Michael Williams gave back to his community through his charitable organization, Making Kids Win. It sought to help keep children safe from violence by providing them with community centers and opportunities to learn and play.
He also volunteered for another youth organization called Crew Counts, which teaches young people the importance of voting, how to vote, and how to elect people who represent overpoliced groups.
The news of his death took everyone by shock on September 6, 2021, when he was found dead by his nephew in his Brooklyn Penthouse. According to the medical report, he died as a result of a drug overdose.
Michael K Williams’ Net Worth
The American actor, best known for his role as Omar on The Wire, amassed a net worth of $5 million from his acting career. He made the majority of his fortune from his roles as Omar Little on HBO’s The Wire and Albert “Chalky” White on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire.
Lessons from the Life of Michael K Williams
Be the Change You Wish to See
“I grew up in a community where I saw the process of how one becomes a drug dealer or a gang banger or a stick-up kid. There’s a series of events that happen. People don’t just wake up and decide they wanna be that.” ~ Michael K Williams
Michael understood what it was like to grow up in a rough and violent neighbourhood, having grown up in one himself. And so, he founded the non-profit organization, Making Kids Win, to make sure fewer kids went through what he did.
It’s much easier to point out what’s wrong with a community than it is to do something about it. Be the change you want to see in the world, and watch things improve.
Push through the Challenges
“The most successful people reach the top not because they are free of limitations, but because they act in spite of their limitations.” ~ Michael K Williams
Success doesn’t come easy. To be everything we want to be, we must put our best foot forward and face life and whatever it throws at us head-on. No one is without limitations, not even the role models you admire. So regardless of life’s challenges, you must fight for what you want.
