MadameNoire Remembers Actor Michael K. Williams Through His Incredible Body Of Work

Source: Courtesy of HBO / HBO

Lovecraft Country (2020)

Williams scored his fifth Emmy nomination playing the role of Montrose Freeman, Atticus Freeman’s father, in HBO’s TV series Lovecraft Country. The actor talked extensively about how the role took an immense toll on his mental health and how he needed therapy afterward. Deadline reports that when speaking about the role, Williams shared that playing Montrose forced him to become in tune with some internalized traumas within himself.

“What Montrose, and his journey and Lovecraft Country did for me was that it got me in touch with my deeper trauma,” the actor noted. “I know that I have trauma with my past experiences of life – things that have happened to me, things that I have done, bad choices. I live that and I’m working through it.”

Moreover, Williams shared that playing Montrose made him aware of the necessary steps he needed to take in order to tackle generational and familial issues, “blood trauma,” which he connected back to slavery.

In response to the news of his passing, The Hollywood Reporter shared a statement released by HBO that read:

“We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael Kenneth Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years. While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss.”