Los Angeles, Dec. 31 -- Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr, mainly known for playing the corrupt state senator Clay Davis on 'The Wire', has passed away.

He breathed his last on Tuesday in New York at the age of 71, as per Variety.

The news of his demise was shared by his manager, Brian Liebman.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote, "It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr. If you knew him -- you loved him. A brilliant actor and even better person. May his memory forever be a blessing. Our hearts are so broken. He will be very, very missed."

Indiana-born Whitlock was a prolific character actor who was a frequent collaborator of Spike Lee, appearing in his films "BlacKkKlansman", "Da 5 Bloods...