MCM: Michael Kenneth Williams

Michael Kenneth Williams (1966-2021) recently passed away and, while he was best known for his seminal role on HBO’s The Wire (2002-2008), he also played key roles in a few historical costume movies and TV shows. Most notably was his striking portrayal of a 1920s bootlegger and community leader in Boardwalk Empire. So let’s give him a little frock flick retrospective as we consider what might have been.

Jimmy in Lackawanna Blues (2005)

Michael Kenneth Williams, Lackawanna Blues (2005) — A small role in this TV movie set in 1960s New York.

Tucker in Miracle at St. Anna (2008)

Michael Kenneth Williams, Miracle at St. Anna (2008) — Playing a scared soldier during World War II in this Spike Lee film.

Chalky White in Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014)

Michael Kenneth Williams, Boardwalk Empire (2010-2014) — His character is runs racketeering in Atlantic City & is the unofficial ‘mayor’ of the Black community in town.

Robert in 12 Years a Slave (2013)

Michael Kenneth Williams, 12 Years a Slave (2013) — Filming this true story was traumatic for Michael Kenneth Williams. In an TV interview, he explained that he had an emotional breakdown while filming what later became a deleted scene in the movie.

Nat Love in They Die by Dawn (2013)

Michael Kenneth Williams, They Die by Dawn (2013) — A Black cowboy flick co-starring Erykah Badu & Rosario Dawson.

Jack Gee in Bessie (2015)

Rock Banyon in The Spoils Before Dying (2015)

Michael Kenneth Williams, The Spoils Before Dying (2015) — A miniseries set in the 1950s underground jazz scene. Michael Kenneth Williams is shown here with Kristen Wiig as Delores DeWinter.

Ken Jones in When We Rise (2017)

Michael Kenneth Williams, When We Rise (2017) — In this miniseries, Williams portrays a real-life activist who confronted racism within the gay community.

Trumpet Man in Motherless Brooklyn (2019)

Michael Kenneth Williams, Motherless Brooklyn (2019) — A murder mystery in 1950s New York.

Montrose Freeman in Lovecraft Country (2020)

Michael Kenneth Williams, Lovecraft Country (2020) — This performance earned Williams an Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Emmy nomination.

Upcoming:

Surrounded

Per IMDB: “Former Buffalo Soldier Mo Washington travels West to lay claim on a gold mine. After his stagecoach is ambushed, Mo is tasked with holding a dangerous outlaw captive and must survive the day when the bandit’s gang tries to free him.” Michael Kenneth Williams stars in this film, and it’s listed as having completed filming, so hopefully we’ll see him one last time onscreen.

What’s your favorite Michael Kenneth Williams role?

More Frock Flicks

Tags: 12 Years a Slave (2011) 1920s 1950s 1960s behind the music Bessie (2015) HBO inspired by a true story Lackawanna Blues (2005) Lovecraft Country (2020) Michael Kenneth Williams movies about musicians race issues in history RIP TV Western World War II

6 thoughts on “MCM: Michael Kenneth Williams”

Thanks, Trystan! Not strictly a Frock Flick, but he was in Inherent Vice, which was set in 1970. Let’s just say that this movie is best enjoyed with a few cocktails. :)

He was really, really good in Boardwalk Empire. His character was illiterate, but it didn’t keep him from running a massive underground business. The portrayal was nuanced. Chalky is ruthless, probably more of a “bad” than “good” guy, but he also legitimately functions as a community leader.

We loved him in Boardwalk Empire. Gone way too soon.

Of his FrockFlicks, I’ve only seen Miracle at St. Anna. The movie is good, though the subject matter is so grim that you can’t really say that you “enjoyed” the movie. I had no idea he had such an extensive FrockFlick resume’. There’s much here that looks intriguing. Overall, my fave role of his was Leonard in Hap and Leonard, which took place in the 80s, after your cutoff date. He’s another talented actor who is gone too soon. Thanks for this post.