On 17 March, actor Lance Reddick died at age 60, Variety [1] confirmed. At the time, reps for Reddick did not respond to POPSUGAR's request for comment. His exact cause of death had remained unclear until 6 April, when People reported [2], via a death certificate first obtained by TMZ [3], that the actor died of ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease.
Shortly after Reddick's apparent cause of death emerged, the actor's family disputed the coroner's findings. In a statement to People [4], an attorney representing the family denied that heart disease was the cause of Reddick's death. Reddick was "the most physically fit person I've ever known," Attorney James Hornstein told the outlet, noting that workout facilities were a "contractual requirement" for the late star. "The information appearing on the death certificate is wholly inconsistent with his lifestyle," the attorney's statement continued. "On behalf of [Lance's wife] Stephanie Reddick, the death certificate information is not corroborated and is inconsistent with the facts known to the family." Hornstein did not immediately respond to POPSUGAR's request for comment.
Reddick was born in Baltimore. As a teenager, he was more interested in music and even majored in music composition at the University of Rochester. He later attended the Yale School of Drama and graduated in 1994.
Reddick's first major TV role was in HBO's "Oz," which he joined in 2000. His credits also include numerous appearances on shows in the "Law & Order" franchise. He later joined the main cast of "The Wire," which premiered on HBO in 2002, and appeared in all five seasons as Cedric Daniels. On "Lost," he appeared in four episodes as Matthew Abaddon, and in 2008, he played Phillip Broyles on "Fringe;" Broyles was a Homeland Security Special Agent and head of the Fringe division. In 2014, he joined another cop series, Prime Video's "Bosch," and in 2022, he took on the role of iconic "Resident Evil" villain Albert Wesker for the show's Netflix series. He also signed on to the upcoming "Percy Jackson and the Olympians" series [5] from Disney+ to play Zeus.
Reddick also starred in the "John Wick" series [6]. He appeared in the film "John Wick: Chapter 4" in late March, and will also reprise his role in the upcoming spin-off "Ballerina," starring Ana de Armas. On 17 March, "John Wick" star Keanu Reeves [7] and the fourth "John Wick" film's director Chad Stahelski shared a joint statement about the actor's passing with The Hollywood Reporter [8].
"We are deeply saddened and heartbroken at the loss of our beloved friend and colleague Lance Reddick," they said. "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 is survived by his wife, Stephanie Reddick, whom he married in 2011. The couple had many dogs, whom he loved showing off on Instagram [9]. The late actor is also survived by his two children, Yvonne and Christopher.
On March 18, Stephanie shared an emotional tribute to her husband via his social media accounts. "Lance was taken from us far too soon. Thank you for all your overwhelming love, support and beautiful stories shared on these platforms over the last day. I see your messages and can't begin to express how grateful I am to have them," she captioned a photo of the actor on Instagram [10].
Read on to see how Reddick's costars from "John Wick," "The Wire," "Fringe," and "Lost" have paid tribute to the late actor.
Stephanie Reddick
On 18 March, Stephanie shared a moving tribute to her husband across his social media accounts. "Lance was taken from us far too soon," she wrote. "Thank you for all your overwhelming love, support and beautiful stories shared on these platforms over the last day. I see your messages and can't begin to express how grateful I am to have them."
Her tribute continued, "And to the thousands of Destiny players who played in special tribute to Lance, thank you. Lance loved you as much as he loved the game. Donations may be made to momcares.org [12] in Baltimore, his hometown."
Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski
On 17 March, Reeves and "John Wick: Chapter 4" director Stahelski issued a statement on Reddick's death via THR [13]: "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."
The two spoke to the outlet again [14] on March 20 at the Los Angeles premiere of their new movie, with a choked-up Reeves saying, "Every time you were in his presence, he was such a special person, special artist, and he had a grace and dignity, and a passion for life and his craft. Just to be in his light and to be in his presence and get a chance to work with him, every day was special."
Meanwhile, Stahelski recalled the time he and creative partner David Leitch cast Reddick as one of the first actors in the original 2014 John Wick movie. "Lance walked in the first day in the suit, and we stood up and we were like, 'OK, take one,' and it was good; take two and he was like, 'What can I do better?' And we were like, 'Lance we really don't know what we're doing but please help us," Stahelski said. "He just mentored us through the first day of shooting with him. He was so kind, so generous, and we still joke about it today. He's always been the most collaborative, most positive guy I've ever met."
Laurence Fishburne
Fishburne, who starred with Reddick in the last three John Wick movies, got emotional at the "John Wick: Chapter 4" premiere in Los Angeles on 20 March, telling The Hollywood Reporter [15] that his late costar was "the heart of these movies in many ways." "We lost our brother," he added. "But we made a beautiful movie, it's the best of all of them, and I think people are going to love it and that's what it's about, right? He wouldn't want us to not do this."
Ruby Rose
Following news of Reddick's death, Rose, who starred with the late actor in the second John Wick film, mourned him on Instagram [16] with a photo of the two and Reeves, captioned, "No. No. No. I missed this news. This is devastating. We have lost a special soul. I'm sorry Lance, my heart goes out to his family, and to Keanu, the beautiful Keanu who loves his people so deeply. Heartbreaking. - I'm speechless."
Wendell Pierce
Reddick's "The Wire" co-star paid tribute to him in a 17 March tweet. "A man of great strength and grace," he tweeted [17]. "As talented a musician as he was an actor. The epitome of class. An 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"
Ben Stiller
Actor and comedian Stiller tweeted [18], "Lance Reddick was an 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. 💙"
Jorge Garcia
"Lost" star Garcia shared a photo of himself with Reddick on the set of the ABC series "Lost" on his Instagram [19]. "Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Lance Reddick. Such a great actor and a truly beautiful human being. Rest in peace," he captioned his post.
Jared Harris
Harris, who worked with Reddick on "Fringe," tweeted [20], "No! I loved working on Fringe with him. Gracious, thoughtful & wickedly funny. Later, we tried 2 get an indie Othello off the ground. Every actor has a graveyard of regrets, populated by projects you can't let go of. That's 1 of mine. He'd've been magnificent. Ad Astra my friend."
Viola Davis
"Shocked!! Speechless!! This talented, kind, intelligent King is gone!!" Davis posted on Instagram [21]. "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 💔🕊🙏🏿"
Halle Berry
Berry, who costarred with Reddick in the third and fourth "John Wick" films, shared a tribute to the actor on March 18. "I send my heartfelt condolences to the family and all those who knew and loved Lance. I'll never forget the huge smile and heartfelt hug Lance gave me as I walked on the set of John Wick for the first time. His kind, sweet energy lit up every room he was in and his heart was larger than anything in it! Heaven has another angel. You will be missed sweet friend!" she wrote on Instagram [22].
Idris Elba
Via Today [23], Elba shared two video tributes to his "The Wire" costar on his Instagram Stories. "Lance really was the guy," Elba said. "I love him, and I miss him... I don't give a f*ck what anyone has to say, he killed that role as an actor. I'm f*cking crying right now, heart bleeding for my guy because he f*cking went in for us."
He continued, "Rest in peace. To your family, and everyone who knows what you did for us in the community. Lance, I love you pal. I know your soul is going up. Nothing but love. Watch over us, my guy."