Actor Clarke Peters Whitlock, Known for "The Wire" and Spike Lee Films, Dies at 71
Whitlock, a native of South Bend, Indiana, died in New York after a short illness at the age of 71, with his passing announced by his manager on Instagram.
He was widely recognized for his role in the acclaimed TV series The Wire, where he portrayed a corrupt politician. His character's elongated catchphrase became a memorable aspect of his screen persona, inspired by his uncle. Whitlock was also noted for his comical role as a U.S. secretary of defense on the TV show Veep.
A longtime collaborator of director Spike Lee, Whitlock appeared in six of Lee's films: 25th Hour, She Hate Me, Red Hook Summer, Chi-Raq, BlacKkKlansman, and Da 5 Bloods. Spike Lee publicly paid tribute to Whitlock after his death.
Beyond his work with Lee and on television, Whitlock's other credits included the films Goodfellas, Pieces of April, Enchanted, Cars 3, and Lightyear. He also featured in The Chappelle Show and had roles in the Law and Order franchise.
