Isiah Whitlock Jr. Passes Away at 71
(AP) — Isiah Whitlock Jr., known for his memorable roles in HBO series like “The Wire” and “Veep,” passed away on Tuesday at the age of 71. He had appeared in five films directed by Spike Lee.
His manager, Brian Liebman, informed The Associated Press that Whitlock died in New York following a brief illness.
Whitlock gained fame as the corrupt state senator Clay Davis in “The Wire,” where he appeared in 25 episodes across five seasons. Davis became a fan favorite, particularly known for his catchphrase, “She It,” which Whitlock famously delivered during moments of triumph. This phrase first emerged in Spike Lee’s 2002 film, 25th Hour, where his detective character uncovers a hidden stash of drugs.
“This is a big, big, big loss,” Lee expressed in a phone call with The Associated Press on Tuesday night. “I will miss him forever.”
Over the years, Whitlock collaborated with Lee on four additional films, including She Hate Me, Red Hook Summer, Chi-Raq, BlacKkKlansman, and Da 5 Bloods.
Lee fondly recalled the connection they formed early on. “We’ve always had a vibe over the years,” he reminisced.
He particularly cherished memories of filming Da 5 Bloods in Thailand with Whitlock and highlighted their last meeting at a screening of Kiss of the Spider-Woman earlier this year, shared with his daughter Satchel.
“He was just a beautiful, beautiful soul,” Lee remarked. “If you were around him, he made everyone feel good with his presence. He shined. I would put that above his performance.”
Lee also acknowledged Whitlock’s comedic ability both on-screen and off, noting, “He was very cheerful. That was his personality. He made people laugh. Everybody was into that joke.”
Whitlock’s passing marks the second loss of a major star from “The Wire” in recent weeks after James Ransone’s death.
Born in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock attended Southwest Minnesota State University, where he played football and pursued theater studies. An injury shifted his focus to acting, prompting him to move to San Francisco to work in the theater scene.
He began his career in the late 1980s, taking on small roles in television shows like “Cagney and Lacey” and minor parts in films such as “Goodfellas” and “Gremlins 2: The New Batch.”
After his time on “The Wire,” he transitioned to another HBO series, “Veep,” where he played Secretary of Defense George Maddox for three seasons alongside Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s character, Selina Meyer.
David Simon, creator of “The Wire,” paid tribute to Whitlock in a post on Bluesky, stating, “He was a great actor, but Isaiah had an even greater spirit and was the greatest gentleman.”
