One of the most poignant parts of Sunday’s uneven Emmy Awards show was the acknowledgment of the loss of veteran television actor Michael K. Williams, and actress Kerry Washington honored him in a lovely tribute while presenting the award for Outstanding Supporting Actor In a Drama. Williams, who passed away suddenly at the age of 54 on Sept. 6, was nominated for his role as Montrose Freeman in HBO’s Lovecraft Country. Washington was visibly emotional while declaring that Williams “left us far too soon.”
“Michael was – crazy to say was – a brilliantly talented actor and a generous human being,” Washington said. “Michael, I know you’re here because you wouldn’t miss this. Your excellence, your artistry will endure. We love you.” She also tweeted about the moment, sharing a link about her speech with five emoji hearts and writing “you are missed and you are loved, Michael K. Williams. It was an honor to honor YOU.” Unfortunately, the moment was followed by Williams losing to The Crown‘s Tobias Menzies. Menzies wasn’t there to accept the award so Washington had to accept it awkwardly on his behalf.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️Michael K. Williams, you will be missed and deeply loved. It was an honor to honour YOU. https://t.co/YuTJ5DGtsK
— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) September 20, 2021
Williams was found dead in his New York apartment on Sept. 6.The New York Postsaid that drug paraphernalia was found in the apartment, suggesting a possible overdose. His nephew discovered Williams’ body in the living room at his Brooklyn penthouse. Williams is known for his roles inThe Wire, Community,andBoardwalk Empire. He is also known for his roles in the moviesTriple 9, Ghostbusters,and most recentlyBody Brokers. In an interview withMen’s Healthlast year, Williams talked about his issues with drugs.
“Pain. In a word, a lot of pain,” Williams stated. ” A lot of trauma early on that I didn’t have the proper tools to deal with. My mom was very strict. The beatings were very severe growing up. She was determined to not have her two sons runamok. She had a brother who passed. He was a fighter and went to jail for murdering someone with his bare hands. It was a way of protecting me. It wasn’t an easy childhood, being sensitive, vulnerable. I’m not alpha, in any sense the word of the title.”
In the same interview, Williams discussed meeting former President Barack Obama in 2008 and him saying that he loved Williams inThe Wire. “When he said thatThe Wirewas his favorite show and that Omar was his favorite character, I was like, holy s—, this man who’s running for president of the United States watches something likeThe Wire?” Williams spoke. “It was the first time I felt seen. I was like, wait a minute. I need to earn this. My personal life needs to match the responsibility that comes with being recognized by a man of this caliber.”