Homage paid to Isiah Whitlock Jr. with ‘The Wire’ catchphrase

Fans use Isiah Whitlock Jr.’s tagline ‘sheeeeet’ as they pay tribute to “The Wire” actor who died ‘peacefully’ on Tuesday

Fans flocked to the comments section of a 15-year-old YouTube video featuring a collection of scenes of Isiah Whitlock Jr. from hit TV series “The Wire” to pay tribute to actor after his family said he died at the age of 71.

According to Associated Press, the actor who made frequent memorable appearances on the HBO series “The Wire” and “Veep” and in five films with director Spike Lee, died Tuesday. 

“Sheeeet I cant believe he’s gone RIP, wrote a fan in the comments section of the video shared with the title “Clay Davis of The Wire “Sheeeeit.” 

A second said “RIP the  GOAT OF cussing.”  Another commented, “Someone’s gonna read the news of his passing and go “shieeeet” and I just think he’d love that.”

CNN announced his death writing, the actor “whose singular delivery of a tagline in “The Wire” gave the world one of the most iconic phrases of the century, has died,” referring to delivery of his character R. Clayton “Clay” Davis’ elongated “s**t”.

Quoting the actor from a 2008 interview the CNN wrote, “Whitlock reveled in the attention that his delivery received.” 

“I was in, I think, Grand Central Station and far away I heard someone say it and they’d be kind of smiling. I’m glad people enjoy it,”  said Isiah Whitlock Jr during the interview.

Speaking to AP of his “catchphrase in 2020 he said with a smile, ““Do I get tired of it? No. If it makes you feel good, so be it.”