Beloved Actor Isaiah Whitlock Jr. Dies at Age 71
News of Isaiah Whitlock Jr. passing at age 71 was shared on Instagram by his agent Brian Lipman.
Followers of his work immediately reflected on a career highlighted by unforgettable performances and a warm public presence.
Fans widely recognized him for portraying corrupt senator Clay Davis in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire.
Viewers often recalled his dark humor and his famous elongated delivery of the catchphrase sheeeeee it.
Reports from Variety noted that admirers regularly approached him in public to hear him repeat the phrase.
Born in Indiana he became a frequent collaborator of director Spike Lee appearing in films such as BlacKkKlansman Da 5 Bloods She Hate Me and Chi Raq.
Audiences also saw him in supporting roles across a wide range of projects including Martin Scorsese GoodFellas from 1990 and Disney Enchanted released in 2007.
Voice acting work expanded his portfolio further as he contributed to Pixar movies like Lightyear and Cars 3.
A notable television moment came through his role in the award winning satire series Veep where he portrayed the Secretary of Defense.
His legacy remains defined by versatility talent and a connection with audiences that endured throughout more than 3 decades.
