Lance Reddick – a brilliant actor who showcased his talents and smooth voice across an array of TV shows, films and video games – died on Friday at the age of 60. A representative for Reddick confirmed to Deadline that he died of “natural causes.”
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, Reddick made his acting debut in 1996 in an episode of New York Undercover. Over the next 27 years, he would act in prestige television shows like Oz, The Corner, Lost, Fringe and Bosch. In the world of video games, he lent his voice to the Destiny and Horizon franchises. And in film, Reddick most notably played a key role in the action-packed and critically acclaimed John Wick series, but also played more dramatic parts, like a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated One Night in Miami.
Reddick was damn funny too, taking comedic turns in appearances on Key & Peele, The Eric Andre Show, Rick and Morty, Duck Tales and Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
He was an actor who could show strength as easily as he could display grace, elevating every piece of art he appeared in. On-screen, he could be intimidating and formidable, but also hilarious and warm. He could portray disdain with just a slight move of his eyes, and then show joy with a flash of a smile. Reddick seemed to bring respect and authority to everything he popped up in, whether it was an HBO show, a Netflix comedy or a video game.
Reddick is still due to appear in a few projects posthumously, including a remake of White Men Can’t Jump that is being produced by NBA star Blake Griffin, among others.
While Reddick had a long and accomplished career in acting, there is one role that his fans will remember him for best. From 2002 to 2008, Reddick starred as Cedric Daniels in HBO’s The Wire.
Yes he was talented , more important Lance was a true gentleman and one of sweetest men to be around. My sincere condolences to Reddick family and loved ones . He will truly be missed. pic.twitter.com/1ekx8g1Rnl
— Domenick Lombardozzi (@D_Lombardozzi) March 18, 2023
Over the course of five seasons, Daniels rises from the rank of lieutenant working in the Baltimore Police Department’s narcotics unit, to Major, to Colonel, to Deputy of Operations, to a then short-lived stint as Commissioner. While Reddick’s character has a questionable past that viewers never see on-screen, he is typically a straight-shooting who doesn’t bend the rules and often acts a strict father figure to Jimmy McNulty, Kima Greggs, Herc and Carver, and Roland Pryzbylewski. We see Daniels go through the show trying to juggle his career aspirations, his pursuit of working a good case, and trying not to give into the department’s stat-juking methods. He tries not to rock the boat, but often ends up calling his superiors – and subordinates – out on their BS. Reddick’s Daniels is a key figure in the show as the major crimes unit chases Avon Barksdale, Stringer Bell, The Greek, and Marlo Stanfield.
Before being cast as Daniels, Reddick initially read for the parts of Bubbles and Bunk Moreland in the groundbreaking show from David Simon. Andre Royo wound up playing Bubbles, a drug addict turned police snitch who tries to get clean, and the part of the foul-mouthed, cigar-smoking detective Bunk went to Wendell Pierce.
Shocked and saddened by the news that Lance Reddick has passed away. Truly heartbreaking.
R.I.P. My friend. You will be missed.
God speed.😥— Isiah Whitlock Jr. (@IsiahWhitlockJr) March 17, 2023
To properly remember Reddick, we thought it would be best to revisit some of his most memorable scenes from his most memorable role. Here’s the best of Cedric Daniels.