Natalia Chi
NEW YORK — Character actor Lance Reddick, who specialized in intense, cold, and possibly sinister authority figures in television and film, including “The Wire,” “Fringe,” and “John Wick” franchises, has died. he was 60 years old.
Reddick died “suddenly” on Friday morning, publicist Mia Hansen said in a statement, saying his death was due to natural causes. His death was first reported by celebrity website TMZ.com.
Filmmaker James Gunn called Reddick “an incredibly nice guy and an incredibly talented actor” in a tweet, while Reddick’s co-star in “The Wire” Wendell Pierce tweeted. expressed condolences. “A man of great power and grace,” he wrote. “He was as talented as an actor and a musician. The epitome of a class.”
Reddick played a standout man in his career, often dressed in suits and crisp uniforms, who was tall, taciturn and elegant. He was best known for his role as Lieutenant Cedric Daniels. His character was struggling and trapped in the messy politics of the Baltimore Police Department.
“I am an artist at heart. , I knew I had to cut my butt off to be the best because I’m not pretty, and I should be noticed,” he told the Los Angeles Times in 2009.
Reddick also starred as Special Agent Philip Broyles in the Fox series “Fringe,” played the smartly dressed Matthew Abaddon in “Lost,” and played the versatile Continental in Lionsgate’s “John Wick” films, including the fourth in the series. I played Sharon, a hotel concierge. It will be released later this month.
“The world of Wick would not be what it is without Lance Reddick and the unparalleled depth he brings to Charon’s humanity and unwavering charisma. Lance disappears.” Although he left behind an unparalleled legacy and a very impressive body of work, we will remember him as our lovely and joyful friend and concierge.
“John Wick – Chapter 4” will be dedicated to Reddick, director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves said in a statement that they were “deeply saddened and heartbroken by the loss.”
He has been nominated for a SAG Award in 2021 for his role as part of the ensemble in Regina King’s film One Night in Miami. Reddick had recurring roles in ‘Intelligence’ and ‘American Horror Story’ and was on the show ‘Bosch’ for seven years.
His upcoming projects include the 20th Century remake of ‘White Men Can’t Jump’ and Netflix’s ‘Shirley’ biopic of former Congressman Shirley Chisholm. He was also slated to appear in the ‘John Wick’ spin-off ‘Ballerina’ and ‘Kane’s Rebel Court Martial’.
Born and raised in Baltimore, Reddick graduated from Yale University’s drama school before finding success after school in guest and recurring roles on such shows as CSI: Miami and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. I was. He also acted in several films such as ‘I Dreamed of Africa’, ‘The Siege’ and ‘Great Expectations’.
Reddick’s career breakthrough came in Season 4 of “Oz,” playing an undercover cop destined for prison and becoming an addict.
“I was never interested in television. I always saw it as a means to an end. Like many actors, I was only interested in theater and film. But “Oz” changed television. It was the beginning of HBO’s domination of high-quality, edgy artistic production. The ’60s and he reminds me of the great movies of the ’70s,” he told the Associated Press in 2011.
“When the opportunity came up for Oz, I jumped at it. I realized I had to.”
Reddick attended the prestigious Eastman School of Music, where he studied classical composition and played the piano. 2011 saw the release of his first album, the jazzy ‘Contemplations and Remembrances’.
Reddick made a recurring appearance on CBS’s “Intelligence” as Jeffrey Tetazoo, Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. In “American Horror Story: Coven,” Reddick played Papa Legba, the bridge between humanity and the spiritual world.
Reddick is survived by his wife Stephanie Reddick and children Yvonne Nicole Reddick and Christopher Reddick.
