Isiah Whitlock Jr., the acclaimed actor best known for his role as corrupt State Senator Clay Davis on HBO's "The Wire," has died at the age of 71 in New York City. His manager, Brian Liebman, confirmed the news, stating that Whitlock Jr. passed away peacefully on December 30, 2025, after a short illness. The exact cause of death has not been revealed.
Liebman paid a moving tribute to Whitlock Jr., describing him as "a brilliant actor and even better person". "It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr.," Liebman wrote on Instagram. "If you knew him – you loved him. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed". Liebman also remembered Whitlock as "a member of our family" with an "unforgettable presence" and an infectious zest for life.
Born on September 13, 1954, in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock Jr. began his acting career in the early 1980s. He attended Southwest Minnesota State University, initially on a football scholarship, but injuries led him to focus on theater. He further honed his skills at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
Whitlock Jr. was best known for his role as Senator Clay Davis on "The Wire," appearing in all five seasons of the acclaimed crime drama. His character's signature catchphrase, a drawn-out pronunciation of "shit" ("sheeeeeeeee-it"), became iconic. The catchphrase became a cultural reference. In 2022, the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum released a 20th Anniversary Edition Isiah Whitlock Jr. Talking Bobblehead.
Beyond "The Wire," Whitlock Jr. had a prolific career in television and film. He appeared in several Spike Lee films, including "25th Hour," "She Hate Me," "Red Hook Summer," "Chi-Raq," "BlacKkKlansman," and "Da 5 Bloods". Lee posted a photo of himself holding hands with Whitlock, calling him "My Dear Beloved Brother". Other notable film credits include "Goodfellas," "Pieces of April," "1408," "Enchanted," "Cedar Rapids," "Pete's Dragon," "Cars 3," "The Old Man & the Gun," "I Care a Lot," and "Lightyear". He also had recurring roles on television series such as "Veep," "Chappelle's Show," "Law & Order," "The Good Wife," "Louie," "Gotham," "The Carmichael Show," "Elementary," "The Good Cop," and "Your Honor". His final TV role was as a police chief in Netflix's "The Residence".
Tributes have poured in from fans, colleagues, and friends. David Simon, the creator of "The Wire," shared a caption-less picture of Whitlock Jr. on Bluesky in tribute. Spike Lee said, "It's a big, big, big loss. I'm going to miss him for the rest of my life".
