Reg E. Cathey has passed away

Reg E. Cathey (The Wire, House of Cards and so much more) has died at the age of 59.

The actor was reported to have had lung cancer, although a cause of death has not been announced.

If you did not know his name, you will have recognized his face and his deep voice. He was a great actor who brought so much to every role he played. Such a damn shame we have lost him.

He was best known for his roles as Norman Wilson in The Wire, Martin Querns in Oz, and Freddy Hayes in House of Cards, the latter earning him three consecutive Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series, including a win in 2015. He was also one of the few good things in the 2015 Fantastic Four film.

He had guest roles in Star Trek: The Next Generation and Homicide: Life on the Street. In 1994, he appeared in The Mask as Freeze, the main antagonist’s friend and bodyguard. He also appeared in 1995’s Se7en as the coroner. He played the villain Dirty Dee in the cult comedy film Pootie Tang. He also worked with The Wire creator David Simon on the Emmy Award-winning miniseries The Corner. He had a recurring role on the HBO prison drama Oz as unit manager Martin Querns. In the film Tank Girl, he played the role of Deetee. He played the homeless man Al, murdered by Patrick Bateman, in the film American Psycho.

Reg Cathey, 1958-2018. Not only a fine, masterful actor — but simply one of the most delightful human beings with whom I ever shared some long days on set. On wit alone, he could double any man over and leave him thinking. Reg, your memory is a great blessing. pic.twitter.com/OHEUbAhTg0

— David Simon (@AoDespair) February 9, 2018

We lost a masterful actor, a sonorous voice, a great colleague, and a kind friend. A more gregarious human being you could not find. A man whose presence was always a blessing and joy. I’m hard pressed to remember a moment of anger. A beautiful human being who will be missed pic.twitter.com/PiwDy0kVFC

— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) February 10, 2018