Lance Reddick tributes: Wendell Pierce shares heartfelt note after his The Wire co-star’s death

Keanu Reeves lead the heartfelt tributes to actor Lance Reddick who passed away suddenly on Friday at the age of 60 at his home in Studio City, California.

Reddick’s co-star from The Wire, Wendell Pierce, was also one of the first to share his thoughts.

Pierce tweeted out his heartfelt message, writing:  ‘A man of great strength and grace. As talented a musician as he was an actor. The epitome of class.’

‘A sudden unexpected sharp painful grief for our artistic family. An unimaginable suffering for his personal family and loved ones. Godspeed my friend. You made your mark here. RIP.’

Reddick played Charon the concierge in the John Wick movies and Keanu issued a statement with the film’s director Chad Stahelski.

Tribute: Wendell Pierce honored his friend and The Wire co-star Lance Reddick, who died suddenly at the age of 60 Friday calling him ‘A man of great strength and grace’  (Pictured in Los Angeles in January 2013)

Tweet: Pierce tweeted out the homage soon after hearing about Reddick’s death

‘We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick,’ Keanu and Chris said in a statement to Variety. 

‘He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.’ 

The accomplished actor was in the middle of a promotional tour for John Wick: Chapter 4. The film is set to be released March 24. 

The producers of the franchise also released a mournful message Friday afternoon. 

‘A kindhearted soul, a wonderful human, and a true friend. Be seeing you, Lance Reddick,’ they wrote.  

James Gunn and Aaron Ginsburg also shared their notes.

DC honcho Gunn called the actor an ‘incredibly nice guy’ and said his passing was ‘heartbreaking.’ 

Ginsburg said that he worked with Lance many years ago and felt it was an ‘honor.’ 

He shared a touching note: DC honcho James Gunn called the actor an ‘incredibly nice guy’ and said his passing was ‘heartbreaking’

A fan: Gunn is seen here in Los Angeles in 2021 for the premiere of Suicide Squad

In mourning: The producers of John Wick: Chapter 4 shared a mournful message, describing the star as ‘A kindhearted soul, wonderful human, and a true friend. Be see you, Lance Reddick’

Oscar winner Questlove expressed his devastation at the passing of his friend on social media

Questlove send out a message of sadness writing ‘ I cant take it no more. rip Lance Reddi

Writer and comedian Jake Fogelnest said he was ‘deeply sad’ to hear of his passing. 

EGOT winner Viola Davis, who starred with the actor in 2012’s Won’t Back Down, expressed her grief. 

‘Shocked!! Speechless!! This talented, kind, intelligent King is gone!!’ she posted. ‘I was blessed to have worked with you and blessed to have known you. Praying for comfort for your family and loved ones! Rest well Lance Reddick…..see you on the other side’ 

Grammy and Oscar winner Questlove wrote ‘I can’t take it no more. rip Lance Reddick.’ 

Michael Connelly, who wrote the books which the hit Bosch series is based on,  penned a loving farewell. 

‘I’m thinking about my friend Lance Reddick. More than being a key ingredient in the Bosch show, he was a wonderful person, friend and collaborator. He took a character who was paper-thin in the books and made Irvin Irving. 

Ben Stiller shared a memory from his younger years about his experience with the late actor, writing, ‘Lance Reddick was a beautiful and compelling actor. And a beautiful person. He worked with my mom Anne Meara in her play Afterplay, playing Raziel, the waiter slash angel of death. He was exquisite in that and all he did. Nothing is lost.’

Kurtwood Smith, who worked with Reddick on 2019’s Business Ethics, remembered him as ‘A wonderful actor and such as decent man! Way too young to go!’ 

Michael Connelly,  author Bosch books on which the series is based penned a loving farewell. ‘More than being a key ingredient in the Bosch show, he was a wonderful person, friend and collaborator. He took a character who was paper-thin in the books and made Irvin Irving

Ben  Stiller shared a memory of Reddick’s work from his younger years, explaining how he met the actor when he was working with his mother Anne Meara in Afterplay in 1995

Generosity: Reddick provided his voice to many video games including Horizon Forbidden West and Destiny 2: The Witch Queen. Geoff Keighley of The Game Awards remembered him for his generosity

Patton Oswalt tried to lighten the load created by the actor’s sudden loss, penning, ‘Unacceptable. Death, I want your badge and scythe on my desk at 9am tomorrow.’ 

Reddick provided voice work in many video games including Horizon Forbidden West and Destiny 2: The Witch Queen. Geoff Keighley of The Game Awards remembered him for his generosity. 

‘So sad to hear about Lance Reddick. What a wonderful human. He was a frequent guest and supporter of TGA, even recorded promo VOs one year for us. An amazing actor who gave so much to games, gone far too soon.’ 

Reddick – who played Cedric Daniels in the The Wire- is understood to have died of natural causes, law enforcement officials told TMZ.

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Kurtwood Smith, who worked with Reddick on 2019’s Business Ethics, remembered him as ‘A wonderful actor and such as decent man! Way too young to go!’

Master class: Jake Fogelnest who worked with Reddick on the comedy Corporate in 2018 said he was ‘deeply sad’ to here of his passing and working with the actor was like taking a ‘masterclass’

Another heartbreaking post: And Aaron Ginsburg said that he worked with Lance many years ago and felt it was an ‘honor’

Colleagues: Ana de Armas, who stars with Reddick in the upcoming John Wick spinoff Ballerina, wrote that it was ‘an absolute pleasure and an honor to have met you and worked with you,’ adding, ‘Thank you for your kindess’

On Thursday Reddick uploaded a shot of himself curled up with his three dogs at home for an Instagram post about National Puppy Day. 

He wrote: ‘On screen and off, it’s no surprise I love spoiling my dogs.’

And three days ago he uploaded a video of himself joyously singing ‘and the beat goes on’ as his dogs bark in the background.

Reddick will be best remembered for his role as Cedric Daniels on the hit HBO crime series The Wire, appearing in all 60 episodes alongside stars including Dominic West and Idris Elba.

But he also enjoyed roles in blockbuster movies including Godzilla Vs. Kong and Angel Has Fallen.

And he was the voice of Commander Zavala in the Destiny video games.

He is survived by his wife Stephanie Reddick, daughter Yvonne Nicole Reddick and son Christopher Reddick.