'Our hearts are so broken': The Wire star Isiah Whitlock Jr dies at 71

Isiah Whitlock Jr., who was best known for his roles in The Wire and Spike Lee's Da 5 Bloods, has died at age 71.

The actor's death was confirmed by his manager, Brian Liebman, who shared the sad news in a post on Instagram on December 31.

"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," read the emotional post.

"A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed."

Leibman also told Deadline Whitlock died "peacefully" following a "short illness."

"Isiah was a brilliant actor and even better person," Liebman told the outlet.

"He was loved by all who had the pleasure to work with or know him. He will be greatly missed."

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Whitlock was known for his role on The Wire, but also starred in Veep, Your Honor and The Residence and a number of Spike Lee movies.

Lee paid tribute to Whitlock, sharing a post on Instagram shortly after the news of his death.

In the picture, Lee and Whitlock are smiling at the camera with their hands locked in a handshake.

"Today I Learned Of The Passing Of My Dear Beloved Brother ISIAH WHITLOCK. GOD BLESS," he wrote alongside the post.

While Whitlock had many roles in both TV and movies, he became best known – both on and off screen – for one particular catchphrase from The Wire.

Whitlock played the fictional Maryland State Senator Clay Davis, a corrupt politician, from 2002 to 2008.

He had an instantly recognisable catchphrase – a comically exaggerated pronunciation of "s--t."

Whitlock revealed he was sometimes "stopped on the street two to three times per day" by fans who wanted to hear him say the phrase, according to Variety.

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