Saturday, June 25, 2022
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • CCPA
  • DMCA
News Two Daily News
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • US News
  • World
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Science
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • US News
  • World
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Science
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
Morning News
No Result
View All Result
Home Entertainment

Brooklyn Community Mourns Michael K. Williams: ‘He Never Stayed Away’

  • Sponsored results for Brooklyn Community Mourns Michael K. Williams: ‘He Never Stayed Away’

  •  
September 8, 2021
in Entertainment
Brooklyn Community Mourns Michael K. Williams: ‘He Never Stayed Away’


As the voice of Michael K. Williams crept from a large sound system hooked to the back of a truck, the bustle of an East Flatbush street slowed down a bit.

People stopped to pay their respects and to retrieve white balloons that would later be released during a vigil for Mr. Williams, held right in front of the Brooklyn housing complex where the actor grew up.

“He went to Hollywood, but never forgot where he came from,” said Anthony Herbert, a community advocate who hosted the vigil at the intersection of Foster and New York Avenues. “He was a brother of our community.”

Mr. Williams, who was found dead on Monday at his home in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, was famous for his portrayal of Omar Little, the shotgun-wielding gangster in the HBO epic drama “The Wire.” But that character wouldn’t be possible without the real-life people from East Flatbush from whom he fashioned Omar.

“Everybody loves him because from when he was on ‘The Wire,’ we couldn’t believe that he was just walking around like he wasn’t a Hollywood celebrity,” said Nena Ansari, 66, of Flatbush. “People were just like, ‘Is that him?’ We were shocked to see him walking around without security guards. But he was a regular guy.”

Mr. Williams, who was born in Brooklyn in 1966, grew up in the Vanderveer Estates housing complex now known as Flatbush Gardens. Built in 1949 and 1950 on the site of the old Flatbush Water Works, the 59-building complex for working-class families was also home to a teenage Barbra Streisand and her family.

Assemblyman Nick Perry, who has represented that part of Flatbush for nearly 30 years and lives near the complex, said that Mr. Williams would often visit over the years, and include Mr. Perry in youth-focused events or food drives. They encouraged residents of the complex to get the Covid-19 vaccine during the pandemic.

“He lived elsewhere, but he always seemed to feel that he belonged and owed something to the neighborhood he grew up in,” Mr. Perry said.

Residents who attended the vigil felt it was their duty to pay tribute, whether they knew Mr. Williams personally or not.

Tammie Pierce, 53, of Flatbush, said Mr. Williams had lived next to her cousin in the housing complex. She never had a chance to meet him, but she always admired him for his talent.

“I live down the block, so I came to show some love and release my balloon with them,” she said. “He was a great actor, and all the good people come out of the projects.”

Jessica Ortiz, 48, of Flatbush, said she grew up with Mr. Williams and loved the fact that he visited the neighborhood often.

“He always came back here and looked out for the place where he started,” she said. “The characters he portrayed, like the gangsters, that wasn’t him. He was a real soft, gentle, kind, give-you-the-shirt-off-his-back kind of guy.”

Mr. Williams told The New York Times in 2017 that he continuously drew inspiration for his characters from people around the complex. When he didn’t quite know how to handle a shotgun, he and a local drug dealer stood on the roof of one building and shot into a steel door.

“Best acting lesson I ever had,” Mr. Williams



Read More News:
Brooklyn Community Mourns Michael K. Williams: ‘He Never Stayed Away’

Tags: BrooklyncommunityMichaelmournsstayedWilliams

Related Posts

6/24 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell’s review of Gunther vs. Ricochet for
Entertainment

6/24 WWE Friday Night Smackdown results: Powell’s review of Gunther vs. Ricochet for

June 25, 2022
Soccer Mommy releases new album, Sometimes, Forever
Entertainment

Soccer Mommy releases new album, Sometimes, Forever

June 24, 2022
J.K. Rowling Pranked by Russians Impersonating Ukraine President Zelensky on Zoom
Entertainment

J.K. Rowling Pranked by Russians Impersonating Ukraine President Zelensky on Zoom

June 23, 2022
Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker Break Up After 2 Years – E! Online
Entertainment

Kendall Jenner and Devin Booker Break Up After 2 Years – E! Online

June 23, 2022
Raksha Bandhan trailer: Akshay Kumar’s family drama looks pretty dated. Watch
Entertainment

Raksha Bandhan trailer: Akshay Kumar’s family drama looks pretty dated. Watch

June 22, 2022
Stranger Things’ Season 4 Part 2 Trailer Claws Its Way Out of the Upside Down
Entertainment

Stranger Things’ Season 4 Part 2 Trailer Claws Its Way Out of the Upside Down

June 21, 2022

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Trend Today

Peru President, Martín Vizcarra, Survives Impeachment Vote

Peru President, Martín Vizcarra, Survives Impeachment Vote

September 19, 2020
Suspect killed in shootout with officers in Midvale, 3 others arrested

Suspect killed in shootout with officers in Midvale, 3 others arrested

September 19, 2020
Presentation Pac-12 presidents and chancellors saw before postponing sports featured

Presentation Pac-12 presidents and chancellors saw before postponing sports featured

September 18, 2020
US to declare UN sanctions reimposed on Iran despite disagreement from allies

US to declare UN sanctions reimposed on Iran despite disagreement from allies

September 17, 2020
Hurricane Sally unleashes

Hurricane Sally unleashes

September 16, 2020

EDITOR'S PICK

After aborted SLS hot-fire test, NASA and Boeing will try, try again

After aborted SLS hot-fire test, NASA and Boeing will try, try again

January 30, 2021
UK chief vet warns avian flu at ‘phenomenal level’ in UK

UK chief vet warns avian flu at ‘phenomenal level’ in UK

December 9, 2021
Caterpillar relocates headquarters from Chicago area to Irving

Caterpillar relocates headquarters from Chicago area to Irving

June 14, 2022
Sinovac COVID-19 shot with Pfizer booster less effective against Omicron – study

Sinovac COVID-19 shot with Pfizer booster less effective against Omicron – study

December 31, 2021

Headlines

Reactions to U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade abortion landmark

Reactions to U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade abortion landmark

June 25, 2022
Live Updates: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade

Live Updates: Supreme Court Overturns Roe v. Wade

June 24, 2022
Stocks Close Higher After Fed Chairman Testifies

Stocks Close Higher After Fed Chairman Testifies

June 23, 2022
As Biden touts gas tax pause, even some of his own officials balk

As Biden touts gas tax pause, even some of his own officials balk

June 23, 2022

Sports

Bro! Austin Nola’s 1st hit off brother Aaron is a game-winner

Bro! Austin Nola’s 1st hit off brother Aaron is a game-winner

June 25, 2022
2022 NBA Draft trade tracker: Knicks send Kemba Walker to Pistons; 76ers acquire

2022 NBA Draft trade tracker: Knicks send Kemba Walker to Pistons; 76ers acquire

June 24, 2022
Cavaliers Acquire 49th Pick From Kings

Cavaliers Acquire 49th Pick From Kings

June 23, 2022
Westminster Dog Show 2022 Live Updates: It’s Time for Best in Show

Westminster Dog Show 2022 Live Updates: It’s Time for Best in Show

June 23, 2022

World

Oslo Pride canceled after deadly ‘terror’ shooting at gay bar in Norwegian capital

Oslo Pride canceled after deadly ‘terror’ shooting at gay bar in Norwegian capital

June 25, 2022
EU plans for life without Russian gas amid inflation spike

EU plans for life without Russian gas amid inflation spike

June 24, 2022
Live Updates: E.U. Leaders Give Ukraine Coveted Candidate Status

Live Updates: E.U. Leaders Give Ukraine Coveted Candidate Status

June 23, 2022
Ukraine may have endured its worst week since the fall of Mariupol

Ukraine may have endured its worst week since the fall of Mariupol

June 23, 2022
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of Use
  • Privacy Policy
  • CCPA
  • DMCA

© 2020 Newstwo.net

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Headlines
  • US News
  • World
  • Sports
  • Business
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Science
  • Health

© 2020 Newstwo.net

Get more stuff like this
in your inbox

Subscribe to our mailing list and get interesting stuff and updates to your email inbox.

Thank you for subscribing.

Something went wrong.

We respect your privacy and take protecting it seriously