Senate Resolution No. 1989

BY: Senator PARKER

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION mourning the untimely death
of Michael K. Williams, acclaimed actor,
distinguished choreographer and LGBTQ rights
advocate

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this legislative body to honor and pay
just tribute to the memory of those prominent individuals whose
reputable careers in the arts and creative talents have contributed to
the greater representation of minority groups in entertainment, and the
cultural enrichment of not just their community but the entire State of
New York; and

WHEREAS, It is with deep sympathy and great sadness that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Michael K. Williams, who died on
September 6, 2021, recognizing his significant contributions to the
portrayal of diverse characters in media and other vast accomplishments;
and

WHEREAS, Michael K. Williams is survived by his mother, Paula
Williams; one brother, Paul Carey; and one nephew, Dominic Dupont; and

WHEREAS, Born Michael Kenneth Williams on November 22, 1966, to
Paula and Booker T. Williams, he was raised in Brooklyn by his mother
growing up at the Vanderveer Estates located in East Flatbush; he
eventually went on to attend George Westinghouse Career and Technical
Education High School in Downtown Brooklyn; and

WHEREAS, After spending a brief time as a pharmaceutical temp,
Michael K. Williams left to pursue a highly esteemed career in dance;
and

WHEREAS, While appearing as a background dancer for house music
musician Kym Sims, Michael K. Williams gained further recognition,
leading to him choreographing concert tours for the likes of Madonna and
George Michael as well as the music video for Crystal Water's 1994 hit
single "100% Pure Love"; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Michael K. Williams was slashed with a razor
during a bar fight on his 25th Birthday, giving him his famous face
length facial scar, the physical attribute that would make him instantly
recognizable later on in his career; even though the scar made him more
desirable for "thug" roles in music videos, unfortunately, it brought
his dance career to a halt; and

WHEREAS, Making his pivot towards acting, Michael K. Williams held
roles in movies like "Bullet" in 1996, alongside Tupac Shakur and minor
roles in television shows such as "The Sopranos"; and

WHEREAS, In 2002, Michael K. Williams gained his breakout roll as
Omar Little on "The Wire," gaining him great critical acclaim; his role
as the openly gay black drug dealer living in West Baltimore was highly
lauded and served as a foundation for addressing prevalent issues of
homophobia within the black community; and


WHEREAS, Michael K. Williams' commitment to showing the
vulnerability of Omar's character in direct contrast to the harshness of
his surroundings as well as his authentic portrayal of realities of that
life was unprecedented in mainstream media and provoked a strong
discourse on what it meant to be black and gay in America; and

WHEREAS, With the success of "The Wire" in his repertoire, Michael
K. Williams continued to demonstrate his acting prowess in more highly
acclaimed roles like that of racketeer Chalky White in "Boardwalk
Empire", Bobby McCray's father in "When They See Us" and Montrose
Freeman, another representation of a gay black character in "Lovecraft
Country"; and

WHEREAS, Michael K. Williams created a distinguished career for
himself, executing his roles with versatility, empathy and tenderness
that was unheard of particularly for the characters he portrayed; his
carefully crafted portrayals added layers of nuance and strength that
made his characters highly relatable; and

WHEREAS, For these reasons and so many more he will be deeply missed
and his contributions to media as a powerhouse actor will continue on as
a comfort to those who knew and were inspired by him; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
mourn the untimely death of Michael K. Williams, critically acclaimed
actor and distinguished choreographer, and to express its deepest
sympathies to his family; and be if further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Michael K. Williams.