David Simon leads tributes to ‘masterful actor’ who also appeared in The Wire

This article is more than 2 years old

This article is more than 2 years old

Reg E Cathey, who featured in the US version of House of Cards and in The Wire, has died aged 59.

David Simon, the creator of The Wire, announced Cathey’s death on Friday night. “Not only a fine, masterful actor – but simply one of the most delightful human beings with whom I ever shared some long days on set,” Simon tweeted.

“On wit alone, he could double any man over and leave him thinking. Reg, your memory is a great blessing.”

Cathey was reported to have had lung cancer, but the cause of death has not yet been announced.

He won an Emmy award in 2015 for his House of Cards role as Freddy Hayes, the owner of a restaurant favoured by Kevin Spacey’s character, Frank Underwood.

In The Wire he played Norman Wilson, a newspaperman who became a political operative.

Cathey told the Guardian in 2016 that his career took off after Barack Obama was elected president because people could begin to accept the idea of a well-spoken black man.

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“He got inaugurated, and I started working like a fiend – hired by the same people who would previously ask: ‘Have you always spoken like that?’ It’s like, you know what, motherfuckers, yes, I have,” he said.

Cathey was born in Alabama and spent time in Germany as a child. He attended the University of Michigan and the Yale School of Drama.

He collaborated with Simon on the Emmy award-winning miniseries The Corner, and had roles in TV series including Law & Order, 30 Rock and in movies including Fantastic Four and Hands of Stone.

Among those who paid tribute was Beau Williamson, the creator of Netflix drama House of Cards. “Reg Cathey was one of a kind,” Williamson wrote. “Brimming with life force, generosity, humor, gravitas and a fountain of talent. Loved by everyone lucky enough know him and work with him. He will be greatly missed. Rest In Peace, Reg.”

There were also tributes from the actors Samuel L Jackson, Wendell Pierce and Chris Rock.

Samuel L. Jackson (@SamuelLJackson) Shattered at the loss of Reg E. Cathey! Brilliant actor, humorist & friend! Irreplaceable! The ancestors about to be challenged!!

Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) We lost a masterful actor, a sonorous voice, a great colleague, and a kind friend. A more gregarious human being you could not find. A man whose presence was always a blessing and joy. I’m hard pressed to remember a moment of anger. A beautiful human being who will be missed pic.twitter.com/PiwDy0kVFC