Overview
- Manager Brian Liebman confirmed Whitlock's death on December 30 in New York and posted a remembrance on Instagram.
- A representative said he died peacefully following a short illness, with no additional medical details released.
- Whitlock was best known for playing Senator R. Clayton “Clay” Davis on HBO’s The Wire, a role that cemented his cultural imprint.
- He was a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee, and tributes were shared by Lee, The Wire creator David Simon, and HBO.
- Recent and upcoming credits include Netflix’s The Residence and a voice role in Pixar’s Hoppers scheduled for 2026, while some outlets differed on his age at death.