House of Cards actor Reg E Cathey dies aged 59

Reg E Cathey, star of House of Cards and The Wire, has died aged 59.

The American actor was best known for playing barbecue joint owner Freddy Hayes in House of Cards and Baltimore politician Norman Wilson in The Wire.

David Simon, creator of The Wire, announced Cathey’s death on Twitter on Friday, hailing him as a “fine, masterful actor” and “one of the most delightful human beings”.

https://twitter.com/AoDespair/status/962104269385191424

Netflix said in a statement: “We are heartbroken by the passing of our friend and House of Cards colleague Reg E Cathey.

“Reg was the kindest man, the most giving actor, a true gentlemen. Our sympathy goes to his family.”

Cathey’s House of Cards role saw him earn three consecutive Emmy nominations, and he won for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Series in 2015.

Over a 30-year acting career, Cathey appeared in the series Oz, Outcast, Law and Order, Grimm and The Good Wife. He featured in the films The Mask, Seven and 2017’s biopic The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks alongside Oprah Winfrey.

Cathey also portrayed Dr Franklin Storm in the 2015 reboot of The Fantastic Four.

Tributes have been flooding in for the actor from House of Cards creator Beau Willimon, Samuel L Jackson, Viola Davis, Chris Rock and various other industry figures…

https://twitter.com/BeauWillimon/status/962113504957358081

https://twitter.com/SamuelLJackson/status/962127016744116226

https://twitter.com/violadavis/status/962167247652270083

https://twitter.com/chrisrock/status/962162931512365056

https://twitter.com/Miles_Teller/status/962127334160543744

https://twitter.com/JohnTheCho/status/962124740230967297

https://twitter.com/bobbycannavale/status/962114737256390656

https://twitter.com/realmikecolter/status/962116413040160768

https://twitter.com/ConstanceZimmer/status/962118811049607168