Celebrity
Google Search “Lance Reddick Cause of Death” Tops 2 Million
Hours after news that Hollywood actor Lance Reddick died of natural causes at age 60, Google search trends have hit over 2 million on the cause of the actor’s death. Reddick died “suddenly” Friday morning, according to his publicist Mia Hansen, who attributed his death to natural causes. There were no additional details provided.
Lance Reddick was a character actor who specialized intense, icy, and possibly sinister authority figures on shows like “The Wire,” “Fringe,” and the “John Wick” franchise.
Wendell Pierce, Reddick’s “The Wire” co-star, paid tribute on Twitter. “A man of great strength and grace,” he described himself. “As gifted a musician as he was an actor. The epitome of style.” “John Wick — Chapter Four” director Chad Stahelski and star Keanu Reeves said they were “deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss” and dedicated the upcoming film to Reddick.
Reddick was frequently cast in suits or crisp uniforms, playing tall, taciturn, and elegant men of distinction. He was best known for his portrayal of straight-laced Lt. Cedric Daniels on HBO’s “The Wire,” where his character was agonizingly trapped in the messy politics of the Baltimore police department.
“The Wire” creator David Simon praised Reddick on Twitter: “Consummate professional, devoted collaborator, lovely and gentle man, loyal friend. I could continue, but I won’t. This is heartbreaking. And far, far too soon.”
“At heart, I’m an artist. I believe I am very good at what I do. “When I went to drama school, I knew I was at least as talented as the other students, but because I was a Black man and I wasn’t pretty, I knew I’d have to work my buttocks off to be the best that I could be and to be noticed,” Reddick told the Associated Press in 2009.
Reddick has also appeared as a special agent Phillip Broyles on Fox’s “Fringe,” as the well-dressed Matthew Abaddon on “Lost,” and as the multi-skilled Continental Hotel concierge Charon in Lionsgate’s “John Wick” films, including the fourth in the series, which will be released later this month.
“The world of Wick would not exist without Lance Reddick and the unparalleled depth he brought to Charon’s humanity and unflappable charisma. Lance leaves an indelible legacy and a massive body of work behind him, but we will remember him as our lovely, joyful friend and Concierge,” Lionsgate said in a statement.
In 2021, Reddick was nominated for a SAG Award as part of the ensemble for Regina King’s film “One Night in Miami.” He had recurring roles on “Intelligence” and “American Horror Story,” and he was on “Bosch” for seven years.
His upcoming projects include a remake of “White Men Can’t Jump” for 20th Century Fox and “Shirley,” a Netflix biopic of former Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm. He was also set to appear in “Ballerina,” a spinoff of “John Wick,” as well as “The Caine Mutiny Court Martial.”
Reddick, born and raised in Baltimore, graduated from Yale University’s drama school and found success after graduation by landing guest or recurring roles on “CSI: Miami” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.” He also had roles in films such as “I Dreamed of Africa,” “The Siege,” and “Great Expectations.”
Reddick’s career breakthrough came in season four of “Oz,” when he played a doomed undercover officer sent to prison who becomes an addict.
“I’ve never been interested in television. It was always a means to an end for me. I, like many other actors, was only interested in working in theatre and film. However, ‘Oz’ revolutionized television. It was the start of HBO’s reign over quality, edgy, artistic programming. “Stuff that harkens back to great 1960s and 1970s cinema,” he told The Associated Press in 2011.
“When the opportunity for ‘Oz’ came up, I jumped. And when I read the pilot for ‘The Wire,’ I realized I had to be on this show as a guy who never wanted to be on television.”
Reddick studied classical composition and played the piano at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. His debut album, “Contemplations and Remembrances,” was released in 2011.
On the CBS series “Intelligence,” he played Jeffrey Tetazoo, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency. On “American Horror Story: Coven,” he played Papa Legba, a liaison between humanity and the spirit world.
His wife, Stephanie Reddick, and children, Yvonne Nicole Reddick and Christopher Reddick survive him.
The celebrity website TMZ.com broke the news of his death first.
