Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Last updated

Isiah Whitlock Jr.
Born (1954-09-13) September 13, 1954 (age 69)
Education Southwest Minnesota State University (BA)
American Conservatory Theater (MFA)
Occupation Actor
Years active1981–present

Isiah Whitlock Jr. (born September 13, 1954) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as corrupt state senator Clay Davis on the HBO television series The Wire as well as being a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee.

Contents

He has also appeared in films including Goodfellas , Pieces of April , 1408 , Enchanted , Cedar Rapids , Pete’s Dragon , Cars 3 , The Old Man and the Gun , All Square , I Care a Lot , and Lightyear and television series including The Good Cop , Veep , Chappelle's Show , Your Honor , and several roles across installments of the Law & Order franchise.

Early life

Whitlock was born in South Bend, Indiana. He attended college at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall, Minnesota, where he enrolled through a football scholarship and studied theater. Injuries led him to stop playing football and focus on acting. [1] After graduating in 1976, he moved to San Francisco and joined the American Conservatory Theater. [2]

Career

Whitlock is best known for his role on the HBO television series The Wire as corrupt state senator Clay Davis. He has also appeared in the Spike Lee films She Hate Me , 25th Hour , Red Hook Summer , Chi-Raq , BlacKkKlansman and Da 5 Bloods . In those projects, Whitlock established a catchphrase from his character's distinct pronunciation of the word "shit" ("sheeeeeeeee-it"). [3] [ failed verification ] Whitlock also made appearances on Chappelle's Show and has made several appearances as various characters on Law & Order . He appeared as Eugene, a supporting role, in the 2003 film Pieces of April . He had a bit part in Goodfellas as a doctor who gives Henry Hill Valium while attending to his brother. He also made an appearance in the film 1408 , as the engineer of the Dolphin Hotel, as well as appearing in promotional spots for the Wii video game Punch-Out!! portraying the character Doc Louis. In 2007, he played Ethan Banks in Enchanted .

Whitlock played an insurance agent named Ronald Wilkes in the 2011 film Cedar Rapids . Wilkes is a self-described fan of The Wire and does an impersonation of character Omar Little. Whitlock has said that the references to the series were written in before he became involved in Cedar Rapids. [4] Whitlock filmed a separate promotion for the film, where Wilkes is seen in an insurance office reading lines from The Wire. [5] He recurred on the HBO comedy series Veep as General George Maddox. Whitlock has also made appearances on The Good Wife , Louie , Gotham , The Carmichael Show , and Elementary . He recently appeared as the sheriff in the 2016 remake of the 1977 film of Pete's Dragon .

SMSU now offers the Isiah Whitlock Jr. Endowed Scholarship. [1] He was SMSU's commencement speaker in 1999 and guest artist for the school's celebration of Black History Month in 2007. [2]

Capitalizing on his catch phrase "Sheeeeeeeee-it" and his public notoriety, Whitlock launched a successful Kickstarter Talking Bobblehead campaign. [6] The campaign has raised over $100,000 from 1,828 backers.

Filmography

Film

Isiah Whitlock Jr.' film credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1990 Gremlins 2: The New Batch Fireman
1990 Goodfellas Doctor
1996 Eddie Rick
1996 Everyone Says I Love You Cop
1997 The Spanish Prisoner Trooper
1999 A Fish in the Bathtub Rudy
1999Harlem AriaManny
2001 Jump Tomorrow George's Uncle
2002Driving FishMasonShort film
2002 25th Hour Agent Flood
2003 Pieces of April Eugene
2003Bought & SoldMr. Stubbs
2004 She Hate Me Agent Amos Flood
2005Honey TrapThe DetectiveShort film
2005 Duane Hopwood William
2005Stealing Martin LaneHarold "Chopper" Jones
2005 Kettle of Fish Freddie
2006 Beautiful Ohio Mr. Lebreaux
2007A Nick in TimeOld Bob DelagardShort film
2007 1408 Hotel Engineer
2007The Man in My HouseT.J.Short film
2007 Enchanted Ethan Banks
2008 Choke Detective Palmer
2008 Cadillac Records Mississippi DJ
2008The Thing We KnowKeithShort film
2009 Brooklyn's Finest Investigator #3
2009 I Hate Valentine's Day Drummer
2009Under New ManagementRev. A.L. Blunton
2009Speed GrievingDr. HolderShort film
2010 Twelve Detective Dummont
2010 Main Street Mayor
2011 Gun Hill Road Officer Thompson
2011 Cedar Rapids Ronald Wilkes
2011 Detachment Mr. Mathias
2012 Red Hook Summer Detective Flood
2012 Why Stop Now Black
2012 Thanks for Sharing Charles
2012 Not Fade Away Landers
2013NewlyweedsPhilly
2013 Europa Report Dr. Tarik Pamuk
2013HomeSamuel
2013Jerome's BouquetJackShort film
2014 The Angriest Man in Brooklyn Yates
2014 23 Blast Dr. Connelly
2015 Chi-Raq Bacchos
2016 Pete's Dragon Sheriff Gene Dentler
2017 Person to Person Buster
2017 CHiPs Peterson
2017 Cars 3 River Scott (voice)
2017Sloan Hearts NeckfaceLesterShort film
2018 BlacKkKlansman Mr. Turrentine
2018 All Square Scotty
2018 The Old Man & the Gun Detective Gene Dentler
2019 Corporate Animals Derek
2019 Lost Holiday Matthews
2019 Lying and Stealing Lyman Wilkers
2019 Run with the Hunted Lester
2019SenecaMichael
2020 The Lost Husband Russ McAllen
2020 Da 5 Bloods Melvin
2020 I Care a Lot Judge Lomax
2022 Lightyear Commander Burnside (voice)
2023 Cocaine Bear Bob

Television

Isiah Whitlock Jr.' television credits
YearTitleRoleNotes
1981A Christmas CarolSecond Charitable Gentleman / Party GuestTelevision movie
1987 Cagney & Lacey Man Getting a CabEpisode: "The City is Burning"
1987OceanThe MooseMiniseries; 6 episodes
1993 Alex Haley's Queen PreacherMiniseries; 1 episode
1995 Law & Order Anthony WhiteEpisode: "Guardian"
1996 Law & Order Simon BrooksEpisode: "Trophy"
1996 Law & Order Fred OatesEpisode: "Slave"
1996 New York Undercover Chief HardinEpisode: "Bad Blood"
1997 Liberty! The American Revolution Luke (Slave)Miniseries; 6 episodes
1999 Third Watch Reggie SimmonsEpisode: "Impulse"
2000 Law & Order Fred OakesEpisode: "Loco Parentis"
2000 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Robbery Division CaptainEpisode: "Limitations"
2000 Law & Order Capt. NavarroEpisode: "Standoff"
2000 Wonderland ReviewerEpisode: "20/20 Hundsight"; uncredited
2000 Madigan Men Airport GuardEpisode: "Pilot"
2001 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Detective2 episodes
2001 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Todd SmytheEpisode: "Paranoia"
2001WW 3UnknownTelevision movie
2001 Ed Tim Unger2 episodes
2002 NYPD Blue Anton EmeryEpisode: "Death by Cycle"
2002-2008 The Wire State Sen. R. Clayton "Clay" Davis Main; 22 episodes
2003 Chappelle's Show HaroldEpisode #1.8
2004 Law & Order Gordon SamuelsEpisode: "Gunplay"
2004 The Jury Abbott TrumanEpisode: "Memories"
2005 Slavery and the Making of America Minister/PetitionerEpisode: "Liberty in the Air"
2005 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit NTCC RepresentativeEpisode: "Parts"
2006 Chappelle's Show Store ManagerEpisode #3.2; Uncredited
2008 New Amsterdam Joe WilliamsEpisode: "Reclassified"
2008 Human Giant Casting DirectorEpisode: "She Be a Witch"
2009 The Unusuals Captain Leslie MorganEpisode: "The Tape Delay"
2010 Meet the Browns Sidney GravesEpisode: "Meet the Other Man"
2010 Rubicon Mr. RoyRecurring; 6 episodes
2011 Onion SportsDome Wally Wright2 episodes
2011 Onion SportsDome Isiah Whitlock Jr.Episode #1.10
2011 Chaos WarrenEpisode: "Defending Sophia"
2011 Law & Order: Criminal Intent CSU DetectiveEpisode: "To the Boy in the Blue Knit Cap"
2011 The Good Wife Ira ProtopapasEpisode: "Get a Room"
2012 Smash Ronal Strickland2 episodes
2012-2015 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Captain Reece3 episodes
2013 Louie Alphonse2 episodes
2013 Late Night with Jimmy Fallon Trent2 episodes
2013 Lucky 7 Bob HarrisMain cast; 6 episodes
20132015 Veep George MaddoxRecurring; 7 episodes
2014 Lucas Bros. Moving Co. Mr. Dream (voice)Episode: "Before & After Models"
2014 The Blacklist Danny MossEpisode: "Milton Bobbit (No. 135)"
2014 The Divide Rev. CheeksEpisode: "The Way Men Divide"
2015 Gotham Gerry LangEpisode: "Rogues' Gallery"
2015 The Carmichael Show Reverend CarlsonEpisode: "Prayer"
2015 Limitless Lawrence DrakeEpisode: "Headquarters!"
2016Charity CaseRonaldTelevision movie
2016 Lucifer CarmenEpisode: "Wingman"
2016, 2022 Atlanta Raleigh MarksEpisodes: "The Big Bang", "Light Skinned-ed"
2016Jay & PlutoTherapistUnknown episodes
2017 Elementary Jack BrunelleEpisode: "Over a Barrel"
2017 Son of Zorn RobertEpisode: "The Quest for Craig"
2017 Survivor's Remorse Samuel4 episodes
2017 The Mist Gus Redman / Gus BradleyRecurring; 8 episodes
2017Thin IceBillTelevision movie
2017 She's Gotta Have It Dog #10Episode: "#DaJumpoff (DOCTRINE)"
2017 Kevin Can Wait JerryEpisode: "Kevin Moves Metal"
2018 BoJack Horseman C.E.O. (voice)Episode: "Head in the Clouds"
2018 The Good Cop Burl Loomis10 episodes
2018 Madam Secretary Hervé DupontEpisode: "The Courage to Continue"
2019 FBI Richard TalmageEpisode: "Partners in Crime"
2020 Apple & Onion Mayor Naise (voice)Episode: "Election Day"
2020–2023 Your Honor Charlie Figaro19 episodes
2021 History of Swear Words Himself2 episodes
2022 The Kings of Napa Reginald KingEpisode: "Pilot"
2022 Woke Mr. Jackson2 episodes
TBA The Residence Larry Dokes

Video games

Isiah Whitlock Jr.' video game credits
YearTitleVoice roleDescription
2013 Grand Theft Auto V The Local Population

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Chlumsky</span> American actress (born 1980)

Anna Maria Chlumsky is an American actress. She began acting as a child, and first became known for playing Vada Sultenfuss in the film My Girl (1991) and its sequel, My Girl 2. Following her early roles, she went on hiatus from 1999 to 2005 to attend college.

<i>The Wire</i> American crime drama television series (2002–2008)

The Wire is an American crime drama television series created and primarily written by American author and former police reporter David Simon. The series was broadcast by the cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002, and ended on March 9, 2008, comprising 60 episodes over five seasons. The idea for the show started out as a police drama loosely based on the experiences of his writing partner Ed Burns, a former homicide detective and public school teacher.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Dunn</span> American actor (born 1955)

Kevin Dunn is an American actor who has appeared in supporting roles in a number of films and television series since the 1980s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Vincent</span> American actor (1937–2017)

Frank Vincent Gattuso Jr. was an American actor and musician. Known for often portraying violent mobsters and criminals, he was a frequent collaborator of filmmaker Martin Scorsese, appearing as Salvy in Raging Bull (1980), Billy Batts in Goodfellas (1990), and Frank Marino in Casino (1995). On television, he played Phil Leotardo on the fifth and sixth seasons of the HBO crime drama The Sopranos (2004–2007). Vincent also voiced Salvatore Leone in the Grand Theft Auto video game series from 2001 to 2005.

Anthony Clark is an American actor and comedian who starred in the CBS sitcom Yes, Dear, in which he played the character Greg Warner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donnell Rawlings</span> American actor and comedian

Donnell M. Rawlings is an American comedian, actor, and radio host. He is best known as a cast member on the Comedy Central sketch comedy TV series Chappelle's Show and the HBO drama The Wire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan Bakkedahl</span> American actor and comedian

Dan Bakkedahl is an American actor and improvisational comedian. He is best known for starring as Tim Hughes on the CBS sitcom Life in Pieces, as Congressman Roger Furlong on the HBO series Veep, and as Steve Nugent in the FX comedy series Legit. From 2005 to 2007, he was a correspondent for three seasons on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He additionally has recurring roles on the ABC sitcom The Goldbergs, the HBO Max comedy series Made for Love, and the Netflix comedy Space Force.

Riley Smith is an American actor. He is known for his roles on television, such as recurring roles in the series 24, Joan of Arcadia, 90210, True Blood and The Messengers, and starring roles on the television series Drive, Frequency, and Nancy Drew.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andy Daly</span> American actor, comedian and writer

Andrew Daly is an American actor, comedian and writer. He starred as Forrest MacNeil on the Comedy Central series Review, and had a supporting role in the HBO comedy series Eastbound & Down as Terrence Cutler. He has also made recurring appearances on television programs such as Silicon Valley, Veep, Modern Family, Black-ish, Trial & Error, the Netflix series The Who Was? Show, Reno 911!, and Comedy Bang! Bang!, as well as animated shows such as Rick and Morty, Solar Opposites, Bob's Burgers, Adventure Time, and Harley Quinn.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clay Davis</span> Character from The Wire

R. Clayton "Clay" Davis is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Davis is a corrupt Maryland State Senator with a reputation for pocketing bribes. However, throughout the series Davis remains protected by other ranking politicians and Baltimore Police Commissioner Ervin Burrell.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gbenga Akinnagbe</span> American actor and writer

Olugbenga Enitan Temitope Akinnagbe is an American actor and writer, best known for his roles as Chris Partlow on the HBO series The Wire and as Larry Brown on the HBO series The Deuce.

Veep is an American political satire comedy television series that aired on HBO from April 22, 2012, to May 12, 2019. The series was created by Armando Iannucci. The protagonist of Veep is Selina Meyer, a fictional Vice President of the United States. The series follows Meyer and her team as they attempt to make their mark and leave a legacy but often instead become mired in day-to-day political games.

Joseph Chappelle is an American screenwriter, producer, and director of film and television. He is perhaps best known for his work on the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire, where he directed six episodes and served as co-executive producer for three seasons. In 2018, his episode "Middle Ground" was named the 6th Best TV Episode of the Century by pop culture website The Ringer. He has also produced and directed several other popular cable television programs, including CSI: Miami, Fringe and Chicago Fire.

<i>The Wire</i> (season 5) Season of television series

The fifth and final season of the television series The Wire commenced airing in the United States on January 6, 2008, and concluded on March 9, 2008; it was the show's shortest season with 10 episodes. The series introduced a fictionalized version of the Baltimore Sun newsroom, while continuing to follow the Baltimore police department and city hall, and the Stanfield crime syndicate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Delaney Williams</span> American actor

Delaney Williams is an American character actor from Washington, D.C. He appeared on the HBO drama The Wire (2002–2008) as a recurring guest star playing homicide sergeant Jay Landsman. He also had a small role on HBO's mini-series The Corner (2000) which brought him to the attention of the producers who worked on The Corner prior to casting The Wire. He has also made appearances on such shows as Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Veep, Cold Case and The Punisher.

<i>The Wire</i> (season 3) Season of television series

The third season of the television series The Wire of 12 episodes first aired in the United States on HBO in 2004, from September 19 to December 19. It introduces Baltimore's local politicians and the upstart drug dealing Stanfield organization while continuing to examine the Barksdale Organization and the Baltimore Police Department.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reid Scott (actor)</span> American actor (born 1977)

Reid W. Scott is an American actor. He is best known for his starring roles as Brendan "Brando" Dorff in the TBS comedy series My Boys (2006–2010), Dan Egan in the HBO comedy series Veep (2012–2019), and Gordon Ford in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2022–2023). He also appeared in the romantic comedy film Home Again (2017), the superhero film Venom (2018), and the comedy-drama film Late Night (2019).

<i>Cedar Rapids</i> (film) 2011 American film

Cedar Rapids is a 2011 American comedy film directed by Miguel Arteta. The script, written by Phil Johnston, was included on the 2009 Black List, a Hollywood list of the most popular unproduced screenplays of the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dan DeLuca</span> American actor

Dan DeLuca is an American actor, who is best known for appearing in The Wire.

<i>Veep</i> (season 4) Season of television series

The fourth season of the American political comedy television series Veep premiered on April 12, 2015, on HBO in the United States. It consists of ten episodes each running approximately 28 minutes. The season's showrunner and series creator Armando Iannucci exited at the conclusion of the season.

References

  1. 1 2 Isiah Whitlock Jr. Endowed Scholarship Archived March 20, 2016, at the Wayback Machine , Southwest Minnesota State University Foundation, accessed June 14, 2012.
  2. 1 2 Karin Elton, A perfect fit, Marshall Independent, February 11, 2011, accessed June 14, 2012.
  3. Swansburg, John (March 12, 2008). "The Wire Final Season: Week 10: How Sheee-it Started". Slate.com . Retrieved November 2, 2009.
  4. Rich, Katey (February 10, 2011), "Interview: The Wire's Isiah Whitlock Jr. Plays Against Type In Cedar Rapids", CinemaBlend.com, retrieved February 21, 2011
  5. CEDAR RAPIDS: Ronald vs. Omar from the Wire on YouTube, Fox Searchlight official channel via YouTube.com, February 7, 2011.
  6. "Isiah Whitlock, Jr. Talking Bobblehead". Kickstarter. Retrieved December 25, 2017.