‘The Wire’ and ‘Veep’ Star Passes Away at 71
Isiah Whitlock Jr., best known for his role as the corrupt state senator Clay Davis on “The Wire,” has died at the age of 71.
Whitlock’s manager, Brian Liebman, shared the news on Instagram, writing: “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. 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.”
Born in Indiana, Whitlock had a long and varied career as a character actor. He frequently worked with director Spike Lee and appeared in films including “BlacKkKlansman,” “Da 5 Bloods,” “She Hate Me,” “25th Hour,” “Red Hook Summer,” and “Chi-Raq.”
Across his projects, Whitlock became known for the catchphrase “sheeeeee-it,” a stretched-out version of the word “shit.”
The phrase first appeared in “She Hate Me” and “25th Hour,” and it later became a signature part of “The Wire.” Whitlock said he was often stopped on the street by fans asking him to say it. In a playful nod to his fame, he played a man obsessed with “The Wire” in the 2011 comedy “Cedar Rapids.”
Whitlock also had roles in many other films and shows. He appeared as a doctor in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” and had parts in “Chappelle’s Show,” “Pieces of April,” “Enchanted,” and Pixar films “Cars 3” and “Lightyear.” He was also set to voice a character in the upcoming Pixar animated sci-fi comedy “Hoppers,” scheduled for release in 2026.
On television, he appeared in Seasons 2 through 4 of “Veep” as George Maddox, the U.S. Secretary of Defense who runs against Selina Meyer, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, in the 2016 primaries.
Whitlock’s talent and charisma made him a beloved figure on screen and off. He will be remembered by fans and colleagues alike for his humor, skill, and the warmth he brought to every role.
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