Lance Reddick, a character actor best known for his roles in The Wire, Fringe, and the John Wick franchise, has died at the age of 60. His publicist stated that the cause of death was natural causes, and that his death was sudden and unexpected. Reddick's co-stars paid tribute to him on social media, with Wendell Pierce, who co-starred with him on The Wire, describing him as “a man of great strength and grace,” and Chad Stahelski and Keanu Reeves, the director and star of John Wick, saying they were “deeply saddened and heartbroken” at the news.
Throughout his career, Reddick was frequently cast as authority figures in suits or uniforms, often with an intense and slightly sinister air. This was most evident in his role as Lt. Cedric Daniels on The Wire, where his character was caught in the politics of the Baltimore police department. Reddick was also known for his roles on Fringe, Lost, and the John Wick movies, and he was nominated for a SAG Award in 2021 for his performance in One Night in Miami.
The Baltimore-born Reddick was a graduate of Yale University’s drama school, and he had success in both television and film, appearing in Great Expectations, I Dreamed of Africa, and The Siege, among other titles. His breakout role came on Oz, and he credited the show for changing television and paving the way for HBO’s reign on quality and edgy programming. Aside from his acting career, Reddick was trained in classical composition and played piano, and he released a jazz album in 2011.
Lance Reddick is survived by his wife and two children. His death was first reported by TMZ.com.