Lance Reddick, an accomplished actor renowned for his portrayal of Cedric Daniels in “The Wire” and his involvement in the “John Wick” franchise, has passed away at the age of 60, as confirmed by his representative, Mia Hansen. Hansen stated that Reddick passed away unexpectedly on Friday morning due to natural causes. She expressed her deep sorrow and conveyed that Reddick would be sorely missed.
Reddick was a versatile actor whose captivating performances often led him to roles that demanded intensity and seriousness. He began his career in the 1990s, appearing in shows such as “New York Undercover” and “The West Wing.” Reddick had initially planned to pursue a career in music as a teenager growing up in Baltimore. However, he switched to acting to support his young family and lay the foundation for his musical career.
Reddick’s career in acting began with regional theatre, and at the age of 29, he applied and was accepted to study drama at Yale University, eventually graduating. He auditioned for “The Corner,” an HBO miniseries by “Wire” creator David Simon before being cast in his first regular role on HBO’s “Oz.” Reddick later landed the role of Narcotics Unit Lt. Daniels on “The Wire,” which became a breakout role for him.
Despite “The Wire” not achieving high ratings, it was highly regarded by critics and industry professionals. Reddick went on to work in a variety of television series, including “Lost,” “Fringe,” “Bosch,” and the recent Netflix adaptation of “Resident Evil.” He also appeared in several movies, including “One Night in Miami,” “Godzilla vs. Kong,” and the upcoming remake of “White Men Can’t Jump.”
Apart from his serious roles, Reddick also showcased his comedic abilities, making guest appearances on the sitcom “Young Sheldon” and the sketch show “Key and Peele.” Reddick was also a voice actor in the Destiny and Destiny 2 video games, serving as the voice of Commander Zavala since 2014.
Reddick is survived by his wife Stephanie Reddick and two children, Yvonne Nicole Reddick and Christopher Reddick. Donations in his memory can be made to momcares.org in Baltimore, according to his representative.