Appreciation: Michael K. Williams never shied away from his demons: He acted with ‘100% honesty’

The first time I encountered Michael K. Williams, I was almost too nervous to breathe. Toting a sawed-off shotgun and casually whistling “A-Hunting We Will Go” as he roamed the streets, Little was so lethal that children would cry out the warning “Omar comin’!” upon his approach, sending anyone within earshot — even outlaws — to run and hide in fear. When we had our first formal interview at the Chateau Marmont several years later, in 2010, his role as ruthless businessman Chalky White in HBO’s “Boardwalk Empire” had added to “The Wire” and many other projects to establish him as a force to be reckoned with. I understand where they are coming from.” Michael K. Williams as Chalky White in the HBO show “Boardwalk Empire.” But although “The Wire” put Williams on the path to stardom, he later admitted that the role of Omar brought him even more anguish. He was costarring as a prison powerbroker in HBO’s “The Night of” — a role that would earn him one of five Emmy nominations — playing gay activist Ken Jones in ABC’s miniseries “When We Rise,” and producing and hosting a project for Vice, “Black Market With Michael K. Williams.” What stood out during that interview — which would turn out to be our last talk — was how Williams truly seemed as if he had put his pain behind him.