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Michael Kenneth Williams, the actor best known for his role on HBO’s “The Wire,” was found dead in his New York City apartment yesterday afternoon. He was 54 years old.

The cause of his death has not yet been released but officials confirm that investigators found drug paraphernalia near his body.

Williams spoke openly about his struggles with substance abuse.

In a 2017 interview with the New York Times, he said “Addiction doesn’t go away. It’s an everyday struggle for me, but I’m fighting.”

The Brooklyn native most recently appeared in HBO’s “Lovecraft Country” and the series “F Is for Family.”

[We will never forget his participation in the amazing tribute to DMX at the BET Awards.]

His acting status went to iconic level thanks to his role in “The Wire” as the shotgun-wielding Omar Little, who made his living robbing drug dealers.

He also played in the HBO Prohibition-era mob drama “Boardwalk Empire,” and most recently earned an Emmy nomination for “Lovecraft Country.” In fact, he’s been nominated for an Emmy five times, with his first in 2015 for his role in “Bessie” starring Queen Latifah.

Friends of Williams called him a beautiful, passionate and expansive soul.