Isiah Whitlock Jr., a celebrated character actor best known for his roles in “The Wire,” “Veep,” and a number of Spike Lee films, passed away on Tuesday in New York at the age of 71, as confirmed by his manager Brian Liebman.
Whitlock’s impressive body of work included collaborations with Spike Lee on six projects: “BlacKkKlansman,” “Da 5 Bloods,” “She Hate Me,” “25th Hour,” “Red Hook Summer,” and “Chi-Raq.” Liebman expressed deep sorrow over the loss of his friend, stating, “It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him – you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing.”
Whitlock gained fame for his unique catchphrase from “The Wire,” where he would famously elongate the word “s–t” as “sheeeeee-it.” This signature line originated in Lee’s “She Hate Me” and was woven into the HBO series by its writers. Fans of “The Wire” often sought out Whitlock on the street to hear him recite the iconic phrase. He also made a memorable appearance in the 2011 comedy “Cedar Rapids,” where his character was fixated on the series.
Beyond his television success, Whitlock was featured in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas” as a doctor and had various television roles, including a stint on “Chappelle’s Show” and as U.S. Secretary of Defense George Maddox on “Veep” across Seasons 2 to 4, where he competed against Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character for the presidency. Whitlock’s filmography also includes titles like “Pieces of April,” “Enchanted,” Pixar’s “Cars 3,” and the forthcoming animated film “Hoppers,” set for release in 2026.
His loss resonates deeply with fans and colleagues alike, who remember him not just for his talent on screen but also for his warm personality and kindness off-screen. Whitlock’s legacy as a talented actor and beloved figure in the film and television industry will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact.