Lance Reddick, one of the most recognizable and respected actors of his generation, passed away on Friday morning at his home in Studio City, Los Angeles. He was 60 years old.
Reddick was best known for playing complex and authoritative characters in acclaimed television shows such as The Wire, Fringe, Lost, Oz, and Bosch. He also starred in blockbuster movies such as the John Wick franchise, Angel Has Fallen, Godzilla vs. Kong, and White Men Can't Jump (2023). He was also a talented musician and voice actor who released his debut album Contemplations & Remembrances in 2007 and lent his voice to video games such as Quantum Break, Horizon Zero Dawn, Destiny, and Resident Evil.
Reddick was born on June 7, 1962 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended Friends School of Baltimore and studied music at the Peabody Preparatory Institute and the Walden School. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree from University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music and a Master of Fine Arts degree from Yale School of Drama.
Reddick began his acting career in theater productions such as The Piano Lesson by August Wilson and Angels in America by Tony Kushner. He made his television debut in 1996 with a guest role on New York Undercover. He rose to fame with his portrayal of Cedric Daniels, a principled and ambitious police officer who struggles with corruption and bureaucracy in The Wire (2002-2008), created by David Simon. Reddick received critical acclaim for his performance and was nominated for several awards.
Reddick continued to impress audiences with his diverse roles on television. He played Phillip Broyles, a mysterious FBI agent who leads a team investigating paranormal phenomena in Fringe (2008-2013), created by J.J. Abrams. He played Matthew Abaddon, an enigmatic employee of Charles Widmore who manipulates the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815 in Lost (2004-2010), created by Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse. He played Detective Johnny Basil, a ruthless undercover cop who infiltrates a prison gang in Oz (1997-2003), created by Tom Fontana. He played Chief Irvin Irving, a pragmatic and ethical police leader who mentors Harry Bosch in Bosch (2014-2020), based on the novels by Michael Connelly.
Reddick also showcased his charisma and versatility on the big screen. He played Charon,
the loyal concierge of The Continental Hotel who assists John Wick in his quest for vengeance
in the John Wick franchise (2014-2023), directed by Chad Stahelski. He played David Gentry,
the director of the Secret Service who protects President Allan Trumbull from an assassination
attempt in Angel Has Fallen (2019), directed by Ric Roman Waugh. He played Guillermin,
a Monarch scientist who helps Godzilla fight against King Kong
in Godzilla vs. Kong (2021), directed by Adam Wingard.
He played Benji Allen,
a streetwise basketball hustler who teams up with Woody Harrelson
in White Men Can't Jump (2023), directed by Kenya Barris.
Reddick was also passionate about music
and released his debut album Contemplations & Remembrances
in 2007,
a collection of original songs inspired by jazz,
blues,
and classical genres.
He also provided the voice
and likeness for video game characters such as Martin Hatch,
a mysterious businessman with time manipulation abilities
in Quantum Break (2016),
created by Sam Lake;
Sylens,
a knowledgeable but secretive hunter who guides Aloy
in Horizon Zero Dawn (2017)
and Horizon Forbidden West (2022),
created by Guerrilla Games;
Commander Zavala,
the leader of the Guardians who defends humanity from alien threats
in Destiny (2014)
and Destiny 2 (2017),
created by Bungie;
and Albert Wesker,
the iconic villain who seeks to unleash bioweapons upon the world
in Resident Evil (2022),
based on the Capcom series.
Reddick is survived by his wife Stephanie Day,
whom he married in 2011,
and two children from a previous marriage.
He will be remembered as an extraordinary actor
who brought depth,
intensity,
and humanity to every role he played.
He will be missed by millions of fans