Michael K. Williams Biography and Wiki
Michael K. Williams (born Michael Kenneth Williams) is a well-known American actor. He played Omar Little on the HBO drama series The Wire and Albert ”Chalky” White on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.
Michael was also acclaimed for his role as Jack Gee, husband of Bessie. He has acted in supporting roles in a number of films and TV series, including The Road, Inherent Vice, The Night Of, Gone Baby Gone, 12 Years a Slave, When We Rise, and When They See Us.
Michael received three Primetime Emmy Award for Oustanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie nominations for his roles in Bessie (2015), The Night Of (2016), and When They See Us (2019).
Michael K. Williams Age
Michael is 54 years old as of 2020, he was born on November 22, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on November 22, every year, and his birth sign is Sagittarius.
Michael K. Williams Height and Weight
Michael stands at a height of 5 ft 10 in or 178 cm and Weighs 76 kg or 165.5 Ibs. However, details regarding his other body measurements are currently not publicly available. We are keeping tabs and will update this information once it is out.
Michael K. Williams Education
Michael attended George Westinghouse Career and Technical Education High School. According to a DNA analysis, he is descended partly from the Mende people of Sierra Leone. After getting into some trouble as a youth, he enrolled at the National Black Theatre in New York City.
Michael K. Williams Parents, Family and Siblings
Michael was born in Brooklyn, New York City, New York, the son of a Bahamian mother from Nassau and Booker T. Williams, an American, from Greeleyville, South Carolina, where his African-American family has deep roots. It is not known if he has any siblings. Nevertheless, this section will be updated as soon as it is available.
Michael K. Williams Wife, Is He Married?
As of now, Michael is in a relationship with Tasha Smith, former The Wire co-star. Tasha was featured in movies like The Whole Ten Yards, Couple Retreat, Why Did I Get Married, Addicted, and Jumping the Broom. Michael and his girlfriend relationship got officiated on Instagram on May 28, 2019.
Sharing a couple’s goal photo, she gushed fort the first time about Michale on Instagram, introducing him as a love of her life. Not much is known about the pair, however, from the look of their Instagram post, it is for sure, Michale and his lady love are enjoying their love life to the fullest. As of now, the pair are taking their time to share wedding vows.
Though Michale has never got married, his sweetheart has been married and divorced twice in the past. Before Tasha, Michael briefly dated Sanaa Lathan, an American actress, back in 2015. But, there isn’t much data about their dating initiation.
Michael K. Williams Children, Son
Michael was rumored to be gay until the birth of his son, Elijah Williams, from one of his girlfriends. He has not disclosed any information about his personal life and is largely secretive. However, this information is currently under review and will be updated once we find information related to Elijah, Michale’s son.
Michael K. Williams Salary
Michael has not revealed his salary. He is a simple person and never likes to attract public attention by publicly displaying his wealth. However, this section is under review, we will update you when details about his salary are revealed.
Michael K. Williams Net Worth
Michael has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2020. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as an actor. Through his various sources of income, Williams has been able to accumulate a good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.
Michael K. Williams Measurements and Facts
Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Michael K. Williams.
Michael K. Williams Bio and Wiki
- Full Names: Michael Kenneth Williams
- Popular As: Michael K. Williams
- Gender: Male
- Occupation / Profession: Actor
- Nationality: American
- Race / Ethnicity: African-American
- Religion: Not Known
- Sexual Orientation: Straight
Michael K. Williams Birthday
- Age / How Old?: 54 years (2020)
- Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
- Date of Birth: November 22, 1966
- Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, United States
- Birthday: November 22,
Michael K. Williams Body Measurements
- Body Measurements: Not Available
- Height / How Tall?: 5 ft 10 in or 178 cm
- Weight: 76 kg or 165.5 Ibs
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black
- Shoe Size: Not Available
Michael K. Williams Family and Relationship
- Father (Dad): Booker T. Williams
- Mother: Not Known
- Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): Not Known
- Marital Status: Married
- Wife/Spouse: Married to Tasha Smith
- Children: Sons (Elijah Williams)
Michael K. Williams Networth and Salary
- Net Worth: $5 million dollars
- Salary: Under Review
- Source of Income: Actor
Michael K. Williams House and Cars
- Place of living: U.S.A.
- Cars: Car Brand to be Updated
Michael K. Williams Acting Career
Williams worked as a temp for Pfizer pharmaceuticals. Janet Jackson’s Rhythm Nation 1814, inspired him and he left school and quit his job, against the wishes of his family, to pursue a career as a dancer. Williams visited record labels and dance studios looking for work during a year in which he was intermittently homeless.
After getting a job as a background dancer on a music tour for Kym Sims’ dance anthem Too Blind To See It, he appeared as a dancer in videos and on tours, such as with George Michael, Madonna, as well as some modeling work. In a 1994 single “100% Pure Love” he choreographed Crystal Waters’.
He was given one of his first acting roles in the 1996 film Bullet after being discovered by Tupac Shakur and was cast as High Top, the brother, and henchman to Shakur’s drug kingpin Tank.
On his 25th birthday, Williams got into a bar fight on Jamaica Avenue, New York City, in which he was slashed with a razor blade leading to a large facial scar. From the scar, he has had offers to perform as a thug in music videos and it became his signature feature and modeling opportunities with noted photographers like David LaChapelle. Williams is also an ambassador to the Campaign for Smart Justice as the American Civil Liberties Union celebrity.
The Wire
In 2002, when his portrayal of Omar Little in The Wire began filming, Williams gained recognition as an actor. Donnie Andrews set the base for the actor, as well as other crime figures in Baltimore where he received the part after only a single audition. The character was slated to appear in just seven episodes of the first season and feared that the character would be killed before the end of the season.
Creator David Simon contrasted and stated that they always planned to keep the character as part of the continuing ensemble should the show be renewed beyond the first season. USA Today stated that Williams is one of ten reasons they still love television. Omars’ uniqueness was shown in the stale landscape of TV crime dramas and for the wit and humor that Williams brings to the portrayal.
Omar is one of the first season’s richest characters, a Robin Hood of Baltimore’s west side projects. The Baltimore’ Paper named the character one of their top ten reasons not to cancel the show and called him “arguably the show’s single greatest achievement”. He was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Omar in 2007.
Omar’s contradictory nature intrigued Williams to pursue the role. He felt Omar’s popularity stemmed from his honesty, lack of materialism, individuality, and his adherence to his strict code.
The role has been a breakthrough in terms of bringing attention to him and getting further roles which he admits. Williams feels successful in challenging attitudes and provoking discussion with the role that has received both positive and negative reactions to Omar’s homosexuality.
The then-U.S. Senator Barack Obama cited The Wire as his favorite television show, in 2008 and called Omar his favorite character. About Omar, Obama said, “That’s not an endorsement. He’s not my favorite person, but he’s a fascinating character… he’s the toughest, saddest guy on the show.” Williams went by his character’s name and developed a habit of smoking cannabis and an addiction to cocaine in 2004 that during his portrayal of Omar Little.
Other Work
Williams had a recurring role on J.J Abrams’ Alias, Six Degrees, and made brief appearances on CSI, Boston Legal, The Sopranos, Law & Order, Human Giant, and Third Watch. Williams makes a brief appearance in Yong Jeezy’s video as a shooter. In The Kill Point, he is a recurring guest star Q, a police Sniper alongside J.D Williams, Michael Hyatt, and Leo Fitzpatrick.
In the 2007 film Gone, Baby, Gone he played the Boston area detective named Devin Amronklin. He played Teddy the former boyfriend of Nikki True in the Chris Rock movie; I Think I Love My Wife.
In singers’ R Kelly he played the policeman in Trapped in the closet. He also was in Tony Yayo’s It’s a StickUp music video, Cameron’s film Killa Season, Trick Daddy’s video Tuck Your Ice In, Sheek Louch’s Good Love, and Young Jeezy’s Bury me a G alongside his The Wire co-star Hassan Johnson.
Williams appeared in ASAP Rocky’s video Phoenix in 2013. In the 2009 film The Road, Williams played the role of The Thief, an adaptation of the Cormac McCarthy novel of the same name. Williams appeared in the film Life During Wartime in 2010.
He played, Allen, which was portrayed by Philip Seymour Hoffman in the film’s predecessor, Happiness. In the film, A Day in the Life Williams starred alongside rapper Sticky Fingaz.
It is entirely a musical with every line being delivered in rap verse. in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire for its five seasons, Williams starred in 2010–2014. He played Albert “Chalky” White, the leader of the 1920s’ Atlantic City’s black community. Community creator Dan Harmon revealed that Williams would star in “at least three episodes” of the sitcom’s third season on July 23, 2011.
At Greendale Community College, he played the role of Biology Professor Marshall Kane. It was announced that Williams would appear in Quentin Tarantino’s feature film Django Unchained in November 2011.
Williams was to portray a minor character in the film, but scheduling conflicts with Boardwalk Empire prevented him from doing so, although he had previously confirmed that he was actually in talks with Tarantino to take on the titular role of Django.
Williams announced that he was an executive producer of the independent film Snow on the Bluff, Williams’ first film under his company, Freedom Productions on May 16, 2012. On Power 105.1fm’s The Breakfast Club, Williams revealed the June 19 release date for Snow on the Bluff, describing the movie as “real graphic”: “everything that is wrong with the ‘hood is in this movie”.
Williams also shared on The Breakfast Club that he was starring in an African American western, They Die by Dawn, with his co-star Snoop from the HBO series The Wire. Williams also revealed that he was starring in the lead role as rapper Ol’ Dirty Bastard (ODB) from the Wu-Tang Clan in the movie Dirty White boy in 2014, which is based on the relationship ODB had with his manager during the last two years of his life.
Williams mentioned the role was special to him because he grew up listening to Ol’ Dirty Bastard and to Wu-Tang and he is also a Brooklyn native. He played part in MGMT’s music video for Cool Song No. 2 of 2013 and was featured modeling for The Gap’s 2014 fall collection. It was announced that Williams would star in SundanceTV’s Hap and Leonard on March 9, 2015, based on a series of novels by Joe R. Lansdale.
The first season got positive reviews and in 2017, a six-episode season 2 was aired. Williams appeared in the music video for “The Mephistopheles of Los Angeles” by Marilyn Manson also in 2015. Williams began working with Vice News, hosting a VICELAND program titled Black Market in 2016. In this series, he visits various clandestine markets to explore how they operate while investigating the circumstances that generate their clientele.
Williams was originally cast as Dryden Vos, a crime lord in Solo: A Star Wars Story after which he was removed from the final film after being unable to return to set during the film’s reshoots. Paul Bettany was cast in his place, with the character being reworked from a motion-capture alien to a human.
Michael K. Williams Scar
Michale has captured the attention of the masses with his remarkably authentic acting abilities as Omar on HBO’s hit series The Wire and as Chalky White on Boardwalk Empire. But it turns out that the Flatbush, Brooklyn native was not always as polished as he is today, and he has the scar to tell it.
Before his infamous roles, Michael was a dancer. He featured in music videos starring artists like Madonna and George Michael. Then, on his 25th birthday, everything changed.
“There was a popping party going on in Queens,” Williams says. “I went outside to get some air, and I saw that two of my other friends were being surrounded by some dudes I didn’t know.” Thinking his friends were about to get jumped, Michael told them it was time to go home.
“The dude wiped his hand across his mouth and … smacked me,” he says. “What he did was he spit a razor. He was positioning the razor in his mouth to get it between his middle finger and ring finger. And then he swiped me down my face.” That cut would leave the permanent scar we have come to know him to have now. “We managed to escape with our lives, barely, that night,” he says.
After the attack, Michael’s career took a different turn. Directors did not want him to just dance in videos, they wanted him to act out thug roles. Then Tupac Shakur and Mickey Rourke were filming a movie in New York known as Bullet. The production office happened to have a Polaroid picture of Michaels, and Tupac himself elected Michael’s for the role of his little brother.
“I think he saw my pain, my struggle, my heart,” Williams says. “I was starstruck. I was like, ‘Wow, this is Tupac Shakur.’ “ After filming Bullet, Michale booked roles on Law and Order and The Sopranos. After those short role, Michael thought the phone would be ringing, but that never happened. Michale saw his acting career slipping away.
“I was down in the dumps. I got really depressed,” he says. “Like, really depressed.” Then after a few months, Michael received unexpected fax outlining a character in a new show called The Wire. It was the part for Omar Little. “I got to grow with an amazing group of people that I consider my Wire family,” Williams says. “That character changed my life. And that was my big break.”
Michael K. Williams Movies and TV Shows
- The Wire 2002 – 2008
- Boardwalk Empire 2010 – 2014
- When They See Us – 2019
- The Night Of – 2016
- Help and Leonard 2016 – 2018
- Motherless Brooklyn – 2019
- Community 2009 – 2015
- The Purge Anarchy – 2014
- Lovecraft Country Since 2020
- 12 Years a Slave – 2013
- The Gambler – 2014
- Superfly – 2018
- Assassin’s Creed – 2016
- The Red Sea Diving Resort – 2019
- Snitch – 2013
- RoboCop – 2014
- Bessie – 2015
- The Road – 2009
- The Spoils Before Dying – 2015
- Kill the Messenger – 2014
- Gone Baby Gone – 2007
- The Public – 2018
Michael K. Williams Awards
- 2015, Independent Spirit Awards — Robert Altman Award: Winner
- 2017, Emmy — Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or A Movie: Nominee
- 2019, Emmy — Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or A Movie: Nominee
- 2013, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture: Nominee
- 2013, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: Nominee
- 2015, Emmy — Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Limited Series Or A Movie: Nominee
- 2011, Screen Actors Guild Awards — Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: Winner
- 2018, Emmy — Outstanding Informational Series or Special: Nominee
Frequently Asked Questions About Michael K. Williams
Who is Michael K. Williams?
Michael K. Williams is a well-known American actor. He played Omar Little on the HBO drama series The Wire and Albert ”Chalky” White on the HBO series Boardwalk Empire.
How old is Michael K. Williams?
Michael is 54 years old as of 2020, he was born on November 22, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, United States. He celebrates his birthday on November 22, every year, and his birth sign is Sagittarius.
How tall is Michael K. Williams?
Michael stands at a height of 5 ft 10 in or 178 cm and Weighs 76 kg or 165.5 Ibs.
Is Michael K. Williams married?
Michale is currently in a relationship with Tasha Smith. However, the couple is yet to get married.
How much is Michael K. Williams worth?
Michael has an approximate net worth of $5 million dollars. This amount has been accrued from his leading roles in the entertainment industry.
Where does Michael K. Williams live?
Because of security reasons, Michael has not shared his precise location of residence. We will immediately update this information if we get the location and images of his house.
Is Michael K. Williams dead or alive?
Michael is alive and in good health. There have been no reports of him being sick or having any health-related issues.
Michael K. Williams Social Media Contacts
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