What was Michael K Williams's net worth? Actor was a backup dancer for hip-hop acts

'I had very low self-esteem growing up, a high need to be accepted, a corny kid from the projects' he had shared

UPDATED SEP 7, 2021

Michael K Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little in 'The Wire', has died at the age of 54 (Photo by Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for ABA)

Actor Michael K Williams, who was known for playing the role of Omar Little in 'The Wire' and was one of the most beloved and enduring characters in a prime era of television, died on Monday, September 6. Williams was found dead on Monday afternoon by his family members in his Brooklyn penthouse, New York City police said. The 54-year-old actor's death was being investigated as a possible drug overdose, the NYPD has claimed.

“It is with deep sorrow that the family announces the passing of Emmy-nominated actor Michael Kenneth Williams. They ask for your privacy while grieving this insurmountable loss,” his longtime rep, Marianna Shafran said. The interest in the late actor's life has grown following his death, so in this article, let's take a look into the actor's net worth before his death. Williams' death, if by a drug overdose, shines light on the growing drug problem in the US. After a party on September 3, comedian Kate Quigley is in hospital due to Fentanyl-laced cocaine. According to reports, comedian Fuquan Johnson and two others died after overdosing on the drug at Johnson's Venice, Los Angeles home. Fentanyl is fuelling an opioid crisis in the USA, prompting the White House to recommend it be added to the Schedule 1 list of drugs.

'Seinfeld' actor Stanley Anderson dead at 78 from brain cancer

What was Michael K. Williams's net worth?

Born on November 22, 1966, Michael Kenneth Williams in known for playing the role of Omar Little on the HBO drama series 'The Wire' and Albert in 'Chalky' White on the HBO series 'Boardwalk Empire'. Williams was also a ubiquitous character actor in other shows and films for more than two decades, creating another classic character as Chalky White in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” from 2010 to 2014, and appearing in films like '12 Years a Slave' and 'Assassin’s Creed'. Williams was up for an Emmy for his role in HBO’s 'Lovecraft Country'. A win at the September 19, 2021 ceremony would be his first in four nominations.

Michael Kenneth Williams (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images for BET)

Williams, who had worked in tiny TV roles and as a backup dancer for hip-hop acts before landing the role, had said that reputation started to stick to him in real life. “The character of Omar thrust me into the limelight,” he told Stephen Colbert on 'The Late Show' in 2016. “I had very low self-esteem growing up, a high need to be accepted, a corny kid from the projects. So all of a sudden, I’m like, Omar, yo, I’m getting respect from people who probably would have taken my lunch money as a kid.” Williams appeared in all five seasons of 'The Wire' from 2002 to 2008, his character growing in prominence with each season. Instantly recognizable with a distinctive scar that ran the length of his face, Williams said most people who saw him on the street called him “Omar,” but he never really resembled the character. “I could never be Omar,” he told Colbert with a laugh. “I didn’t have the balls that dude had.”

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Williams's net worth was $5 Million at the time of his death. In 2012, Williams executive produced the independent film 'Snow on The Bluff' under his company Freedome Productions. He's also appeared in many music videos including for R. Kelly, The Game, Young Jeezy, Trick Daddy, MGMT, Marilyn Manson, and ASAP Rocky.