| Advertisement |
March 17 (UPI) -- Actor Lance Reddick, known for his roles in John Wick and The Wire, died suddenly Friday in his Los Angeles home at age 60 -- just a week before Chapter 4 of the Wick franchise is released. Two weeks earlier, Reddick attended a press junket in Los Angeles to promote the movie, at which he thanked the franchise for helping him cross over from television to film.
Advertisement
"For me, particularly in terms of film, John Wick changed everything," Reddick told UPI. "I had done films before, but I had primarily a television career. So it's really a line of demarcation for me."
Reddick was in all four John Wick films, beginning with the 2014 original, as Charon, the concierge of the Continental hotel. The Continental is home to assassins, who are forbidden to work on Continental premises.
That year also began Reddick's run on Bosch. Before that, he was a regular cast member on Fringe and The Wire.
Reddick was born in Baltimore, where The Wire took place. He probably was best known for his role as Baltimore police Lt. Cedric Daniels in the HBO drama, which ran from 2002 to 2008.
Recently, he starred in Netflix's Resident Evil series, and he had been a guest on many shows since the 1990s. Reddick's voiceover work included podcasts, animated series and video games.
Before John Wick, Reddick appeared in films including The Guest, White House Down, Jonah Hex and Don't Say a Word. While returning for John Wick sequels, Reddick also landed roles in films Angel Has Fallen, Godzilla vs. Kong, Sylvie's Love and One Night in Miami.
John Wick: Chapter 4 begins with The Continental in crisis. Reddick said Charon supports Continental manager Winston (Ian McShane), even when Winston stands in conflict with their bosses in the High Table of Assassins.
"He might question him but at the end of the day, he has complete faith in him," Reddick said.
Lionsgate, the studio behind the John Wick franchise, said in a statement: The world of Wick would not be what it is without Lance Reddick and the unparalleled depth he brought to Charon's humanity and unflappable charisma.
"Lance leaves behind an indelible legacy and hugely impressive body of work, but we will remember him as our lovely, joyful friend and Concierge. We're stunned and heartbroken, and our deepest condolences go to his beloved family and his fans all around the world."
John Wick star Keanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski issued a statement that read: "We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick.
"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."
Reddick's publicist, Mia Hansen, confirmed his death, apparently due to natural causes. In addition to his wife, he is survived by children Yvonne Nicole and Christopher.
Donations in his memory can be made to momcares.org., which serves mothers whose children have required neonatal intensive care in Baltimore.
