‘The Wire’s Isiah Whitlock Jr. Dies at 71 — Spike Lee and More Pay Tribute

Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at the age of 71. The actor was best known for playing the corrupt state senator Clayton “Clay” Davis on The Wire and for being a frequent collaborator with director Spike Lee. Whitlock’s popular catchphrase, “sheeeeee-it” (an elongated pronunciation of sh*t), was incorporated into several of his projects across his career. Tributes from Lee, Whitlock’s former costars, and fans are flooding in on social media.

Whitlock died on Tuesday, December 30, in New York. His death was announced by his manager, Brian Liebman, on Instagram. Liebman told Deadline that Whitlock died peacefully after a short illness.

“It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr.,” Liebman wrote. “If you knew him, you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed.”

Whitlock’s costar on The Wire, James Ransone, died earlier this month on December 21. Another Wire alum, Charley Scalies, died in May of this year.

Whitlock also played General George Maddox, a recurring guest-star role, in Veep and most recently appeared in The Residence, which premiered earlier this year on Netflix.

Whitlock was a celebrated character actor who worked with Lee, Martin Scorsese, and more. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, in September 1954, and attended Southwest Minnesota State University on a football scholarship before an injury made him leave the sport. He switched to drama from there, and he began his acting career after graduating from college by joining the San Francisco American Conservatory Theater.

His first major onscreen role was a guest-star spot on CBS’s Cagney & Lacey in the 1980s. He gave a memorable performance as the sympathetic doctor in Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990). The “sheeeeee-it” catchphrase began in Lee’s 25th Hour (2002) and She Hate Me (2004), and the The Wire writers started working it into the scripts for Whitlock’s character. Whitlock appeared in all five seasons of The Wire, and he was bumped up to series regular in the fifth season of the acclaimed HBO drama. He played a character obsessed with The Wire in the comedy Cedar Rapids.

Whitlock also appeared in Your Honor, Chappelle’s Show, Pieces of April, Enchanted, and Pixar’s Cars 3 and Lightyear. He also voiced a character in the upcoming Pixar film. Hoppers, which comes out in 2026. He was a consistently working actor on TV for three decades, with additional roles in the Law & Order franchise and more.

Whitlock was in Lee’s Red Hook Summer, Chi-Raq, Da 5 Bloods, the She’s Gotta Have It series, and BlacKkKlansman. Lee paid tribute to his friend on Instagram following the news of his death (see below).

“Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS,” Lee wrote on Instagram. “ISIAH WHITLOCK JR. (September 13,1954-December 30,2025). My Beautiful Brother Shined In These Spike Lee Joints-DA 5 BLOODS (2020). BLACKKKLANSMAN (2018). SHE’S GOTTA HAVE IT-SERIES (2017). CHI-RAQ (2015). RED HOOK SUMMER (2012). SHE HATE ME (2004). 25th HOUR (2002).”

Andre Royo, who played Bubbles on The Wire, paid tribute to Whitlock on X (formerly known as Twitter).

“I can’t… another wire, brother and friend,” Royo said. “This hurts to no end, but your memory will live forever in my heart. Hark, the sound of an angel soars. #sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet Love you legend Isiah Whitlock. #wirefamilyforlife.”

Wendell Pierce, who played Bunk on The Wire, also paid tribute on X.

“I cannot find the words,” Pierce said. “Days ago I spoke with my friend and colleague. Attention, attention must finally be paid.”

See more Whitlock tributes below.

I can’t… another wire brother and friend. This hurts to no end but your memory will live forever in my heart. Hark the sound of an angel soars. #sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeet
Love you legend Isiah Whitlock. #wirefamilyforlife🙏🏿💯

— Andre Royo (@AndreRoyo) December 30, 2025

I cannot find the words. Days ago I spoke with my friend and colleague. Attention, attention must finally be paid.

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) December 31, 2025

the funniest crash-out in television history

RIP Isiah Whitlock Jr. pic.twitter.com/Cfzx6zTxsp

— Alexander K Lee (@AlexanderKLee) December 30, 2025

Isiah Whitlock Jr. will forever (and rightfully so) be associated with The Wire, but I also adored the episode of Atlanta where he gets pressured into buying a fedora. A true icon on and off the screen pic.twitter.com/sLYPQLklLy

— Anthony (@AnAntLife) December 30, 2025

Isiah Whitlock Jr may you rest peacefully.

“He’s slick. Apologizes for the short con, and in the next breath setting us up for the long.”

Clay Davis was such a well written based on a real person character.

I had to do it though ❤️ pic.twitter.com/5idsUVT41p

— win a case (@2SweetScorpio) December 30, 2025

Isiah Whitlock Jr was truly one of the great dramatic supporting actors. So sorry to hear about his passing. Here’s to his finest moments https://t.co/0tyIeJ2DVp

— Jemele Hill (@jemelehill) December 30, 2025

Isiah Whitlock Jr. has sadly passed away.

The voice of River Scott, Commander Burnside, CEO and Mayor Naise. pic.twitter.com/WGKIrabPm4

— Cartoon Base (@TheCartoonBase) December 30, 2025

Rest in peace Isiah Whitlock Jr. pic.twitter.com/HdX0Kipy4w

— HBO (@HBO) December 31, 2025

RIP Isiah Whitlock Jr. 🕊️

The beloved actor known for his roles in ‘The Wire’ and Spike Lee films has passed away at 71 pic.twitter.com/XCCqn4sA0U

— Modern Notoriety (@ModernNotoriety) December 30, 2025

We just one of the most talented actors actively working

Isiah Whitlock Jr passed away today at age 71😣🙁😢

He was known as state senator Clay Davis on the HBO show The Wire and he was also a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee and hade voice roles in Cars 3 and Lightyear 🙏😪 pic.twitter.com/y1sRHKlYcw

— gsmoviefan #StopShockingDisabledPeople (@gsmoviefan) December 30, 2025

“You think I’m goin’ down, don’t you? Y-y-y-y-y-you think I’m done!”

Isiah Whitlock Jr. played Clay Davis with such slimy charm that you couldn’t bring yourself to hate a guy who was truly an amoral piece of garbage.

Rest in peace. https://t.co/I7xe98E6XR pic.twitter.com/jetxZeKdbS

— Mike Beauvais (@MikeBeauvais) December 30, 2025