Reg E. Cathey, known for roles ranging from Freddy on House of Cards, for which he won an Emmy, to Norman Wilson on The Wire, has died. He was 59.
Cathey's death was announced by David Simon, creator of The Wire, on Twitter Friday.
Reg Cathey, 1958-2018. Not only a fine, masterful actor -- but simply one of the most delightful human beings with… https://t.co/mC2HiSEIqV
The cause of death was not immediately known, and a representative for the actor did not return a request for comment Friday evening.
Born in Alabama, Cathey attended the University of Michigan and the Yale School of Drama before working in theater. In addition to his work on The Wire and House of Cards, he also had guest roles on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Grimm, and Outcast.
The announcement of Cathey's death prompted fans and former colleagues to mourn the loss on social media.
Reg Cathey was one of a kind. Brimming with life force, generosity, humor, gravitas and a fountain of talent. Loved… https://t.co/WjcYYsgXWR
Heartbroken he’s gone...#RIP #RegECathey
Go gentle into that good night my brother. It was an honor spending time with you on set. Getting to know you as a… https://t.co/AdvtwbrLWw
I worked with Reg once - one of my first plays, and he gave me a piece of advice that really stuck with me for some… https://t.co/otuzacuBzt
Reg Cathey was my friend and my wife's friend and a great actor. I am very very sad. RIP, Reg.
59 Just... my lord. https://t.co/FCZW5VhqYu https://t.co/8tJDZcOnZa
I loved working with, and being with, the beautiful, mellifluous, magnanimous Reg Cathey. He was joyous. Peace, Reg
This saddens me greatly. I had the honor of working with Reg waaaay back on Law & Order. We reunited at SDCC a coup… https://t.co/z0WWGlNOBs
Mate, I am so glad to have known you, you were such a brilliant actor but also one of the funnest people I’ve ever… https://t.co/0mXPTidb6L
They also reflected on favorite characters he played.
This will sound like a joke but I can't overstate how indelible Reg Cathey's "The 9 Song" on SQUARE ONE was to my c… https://t.co/w25QfcmdeZ
He'll always be one of the feature players on Square One Television to me, and I cannot state how influential that… https://t.co/qckPAAyPfS
Wilson in The Wire, Querns in Oz, Freddy Hayes in House of Cards, Dr Franklin Storm in the Fantastic Four reboot -… https://t.co/5XbmHg8KMp
So sad,. He was great on THE WIRE, and also in a personal guilty pleasure, POOTIE TANG. Also had an early role in C… https://t.co/1wulUQqKub
Aw man. :( For whatever reason, I had the overwhelming urge to eat ribs for dinner tonight. Glad I did. RIP, boss… https://t.co/wfEJAHlnE3
Such a great actor. #RIP and as always, don't fuck with Querns https://t.co/AakUiMUD89