LOS ANGELES, Dec 31 — American actor Isiah Whitlock Jr., who played a corrupt politician on HBO crime drama “The Wire” and had roles in numerous films directed by Oscar winner Spike Lee, died at age 71 on Tuesday, his manager said.

“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,” manager Brian Liebman wrote on social media.