Table of Contents
Lance Reddick
Lance Reddick ( Lance Solomon Reddick), a multi-talented American artist, left an indelible mark in the realms of acting and music. Born on June 7, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland, Lance Reddick demonstrated his versatility across various roles and mediums until his untimely passing on March 17, 2023.
Renowned for his compelling portrayals, Reddick embodied memorable characters on both television and the big screen. He notably graced the acclaimed series “The Wire” (2002–2008) as Cedric Daniels, navigated the enigmatic world of “Fringe” (2008–2013) as Phillip Broyles, and commanded attention as Chief Irvin Irving in “Bosch” (2014–2020). His cinematic presence extended to the John Wick franchise (2014–2023), where he portrayed the character Charon, and the action-packed “White House Down” (2013) as General Caulfield.
Reddick’s talent transcended television, as he left an indelible mark on film. His versatility shone through in diverse roles, from Detective Johnny Basil in season 4 of “Oz” to the mysterious Matthew Abaddon in “Lost” (2004–2010). In 2022, he ventured into the Netflix series “Resident Evil,” embodying the complex character Albert Wesker and his clones.
Not confined to the screen, Reddick made significant contributions to the gaming world. His commanding voice and likeness brought characters like Martin Hatch in “Quantum Break,” Sylens in “Horizon Zero Dawn” and its sequel “Horizon Forbidden West,” and Commander Zavala in the “Destiny” franchise to life.
Reddick’s journey began in Baltimore, where he developed a passion for music. As a teenager, he immersed himself in music studies at the Peabody Preparatory Institute and further honed his skills at the Walden School’s summer program, delving into music theory and composition. Pursuing his love for classical music composition, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music.
In the 1980s, Reddick relocated to Boston, Massachusetts, marking a new chapter in his life. The early 1990s saw him at the Yale School of Drama, where he dedicated himself to his craft and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in 1994.
Lance Solomon Reddick’s legacy is not only defined by his captivating performances but also by his commitment to honing his artistic prowess across various mediums. His impact resonates in the hearts of those who were touched by his work, and his contributions to the entertainment industry remain etched in the annals of American artistic history.
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
| Lance Reddick | |
| Name | Lance Solomon Reddick |
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1962 |
| Birth Place | Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Nationality | U.S |
| Died Date | March 17, 2023 |
| Died Place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education | University of Rochester (BM), Yale University (MFA) |
| Profession | Actor, Musician |
| Career | 1982–2023 |
| 1st Wife | Suzanne Yvonne Louis |
| Relationship | 1986 To 1998 |
| 2nd Wife | Stephanie Day |
| Relationship | 2011 To … |
| Children | 2 |
| Daughter | Yvonne Nicole |
| Son | Christopher Reddick |
Career
Lance Reddick, a versatile actor with a rich and diverse career, first gained recognition for his compelling portrayal of Cedric Daniels in the acclaimed HBO series, The Wire. Interestingly, Lance Reddick had originally auditioned for other roles in the series, including Bubbles and Bunk Moreland.
His journey continued as he became part of ABC’s Lost in 2008, where he took on the role of Matthew Abaddon, an intriguing character connected to Charles Widmore. Notably, Lance Reddick was the third of five actors from the HBO series Oz to join the Lost cast. While producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse had considered him for the role of Mr. Eko, his commitments to The Wire prevented this collaboration.
In 2007, Reddick showcased his musical talents by releasing his debut album, Contemplations & Remembrances. Shortly after, he secured a key role in the pilot of Fringe in 2008, a series co-created and produced by J. J. Abrams. In Fringe, Reddick portrayed Phillip Broyles, the head of an FBI department investigating paranormal activities. Despite doubts about his availability due to his commitment to Fringe, Abrams ensured that Lance Reddick could also contribute to Lost as needed.
Reddick’s career continued to flourish with appearances in diverse projects. He starred in the 2013 thriller White House Down, and in 2014, he played Charon in the action-thriller film John Wick, a role he reprised in its sequels. His versatility extended to voice acting, with Reddick lending his voice to Commander Zavala in the video games Destiny (2014) and Destiny 2 (2017).
In 2014, Reddick took on the role of Chief Irvin Irving in the Amazon Prime series Bosch, adding another dimension to his portrayal of law enforcement figures. Drawing comparisons between his major police commander roles, Reddick described Daniels as a “cop at heart,” Broyles as “a soldier,” and Irving as “the quintessential politician.”
Beyond his on-screen roles, Reddick served as a spokesman in television commercials for Cree LED Bulbs, showcasing his presence beyond the entertainment realm. His career encompassed various genres, including the post-apocalyptic horror film The Domestics (2018) and the horror thriller film Monster Party (2018). Reddick also ventured into video game voice acting, voicing Sylens in Horizon Zero Dawn (2017) and its sequel, Horizon Forbidden West.
In 2021, Lance Reddick
graced the screen in Godzilla vs. Kong, showcasing his continued prominence in blockbuster films. In 2022, he undertook the challenging role of Albert Wesker and his clones in the live-action Resident Evil Netflix series, demonstrating his commitment to diverse and complex characters. Additionally, he provided the voice for Hellboy in the video game Hellboy: Web of Wyrd.
Tragically, Lance Reddick
passed away, leaving behind a legacy that extends beyond the screen. Yet, his work continues posthumously, with an upcoming appearance as the Greek god Zeus in the Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians, emphasizing the lasting impact of his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Early life
Lance Solomon Reddick, hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, was born to Dorothy Gee and Solomon Reddick. His early education took place at the Friends School of Baltimore. During his teenage years, Lance Reddick delved into the world of music, pursuing studies at the Peabody Preparatory Institute and engaging in a summer program focused on music theory and composition at the Walden School.
His passion for music led him to the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree with a specialization in classical music composition. In the 1980s, Reddick made the move to Boston, Massachusetts, expanding his horizons.
Continuing his journey in the arts, Lance Reddick pursued a Master of Fine Arts degree at the Yale School of Drama in the early 1990s, successfully completing his studies in 1994. This comprehensive educational background laid the foundation for Reddick’s multifaceted career.
Lance Lance Reddick is renowned not only for his academic achievements but also for his significant contributions to the entertainment industry. His versatility as an actor and musician has made him a prominent figure in the world of performing arts.
Death
On March 17, 2023, at the age of 60, actor Reddick passed away at his residence in Studio City, Los Angeles, due to heart disease. Colleagues and friends, including Wendell Pierce and Isiah Whitlock Jr. from The Wire, along with series creator David Simon, paid heartfelt tributes. Keanu Reeves and Ian McShane, Lance Reddick co-stars in John Wick, also expressed their condolences. Ashly Burch, Reddick’s co-star in Horizon Zero Dawn, and others from the video game industry joined in paying tribute. In the gaming world, thousands of players in Destiny and Destiny 2 honored Lance Reddick character, Commander Zavala, by gathering, standing vigil, or using in-game emotes to salute him.
Film
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Great Expectations | Anton Le Farge |
| 1998 | Godzilla | Soldier on Manhattan Bridge |
| 1998 | The Siege | FBI Agent Floyd Rose |
| 2000 | I Dreamed of Africa | Simon |
| 2001 | Don’t Say a Word | Arnie |
| 2004 | Brother to Brother | James Baldwin |
| 2006 | Dirty Work | Derek Manning |
| 2008 | Tennessee | Frank |
| 2009 | The Way of War | The Black Man |
| 2010 | Jonah Hex | Smith |
| 2011 | Remains | Ramsey |
| 2012 | Won’t Back Down | Charles Alberts |
| 2013 | White House Down | General Caulfield |
| 2013 | Oldboy | Daniel Newcombe |
| 2014 | Faults | Mick |
| 2014 | The Guest | Major Carver |
| 2014 | Search Party | Macdonaldson |
| 2014 | John Wick | Charon |
| 2015 | Parallel Man: Infinite Pursuit | Atlas (voice) |
| 2015 | Fun Size Horror | Oscar |
| 2017 | John Wick: Chapter 2 | Charon |
| 2018 | Little Woods | Officer Carter |
| 2018 | Canal Street | Jerry Shaw |
| 2018 | Monster Party | Milo |
| 2018 | The Domestics | Nathan Wood |
| 2019 | John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum | Charon |
| 2019 | Angel Has Fallen | Secret Service Director David Gentry |
| 2020 | Faith Based | Pastor Mike |
| 2020 | Sylvie’s Love | Herbert “Mr. Jay” Johnson |
| 2020 | One Night in Miami… | Brother Kareem |
| 2021 | Godzilla vs. Kong | Guillerman |
| 2023 | John Wick: Chapter 4 | Charon |
| 2023 | White Men Can’t Jump | Benji Allen |
| 2023 | The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial | Captain Luther Blakely |
| 2024 | Shirley | Wesley MacDonald “Mac” Holder |
| 2024 | Ballerina | Charon |
Television
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | New York Undercover | Oscar Griffin |
| 1996 | Swift Justice | Jim Stark |
| 1997 | The Nanny | Stage Hand |
| 1997 | What the Deaf Man Heard | George Thacker |
| 1998 | The Fixer | Tyrell Holmes |
| 1998 | Witness to the Mob | Foreman Trial #2 |
| 1999 | The West Wing | DC Police Officer |
| 2000 | The Corner | Marvin |
| 2000–2001 | Oz | Johnny Basil |
| 2000–2001 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Dr. Taylor |
| 2001 | Law & Order | Captain Gasana |
| 2002 | Keep the Faith, Baby | J. Raymond Jones |
| 2002–2008 | The Wire | Cedric Daniels |
| 2003 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Jack Bernard |
| 2004 | Law & Order | FBI Special Agent Jamal Atkinson |
| 2005 | Independent Lens | James |
| 2005–2006 | CSI: Miami | FBI Agent David Park |
| 2007 | Numb3rs | Lieutenant Steve Davidson |
| 2008–2009 | Lost | Matthew Abaddon |
| 2008–2013 | Fringe | Phillip Broyles |
| 2010 | Svetlana | Lance |
| 2011 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Freedom Cobra (voice) |
| 2011 | It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Reggie |
| 2012 | The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes | Falcon (voice) |
| 2012–2013 | Tron: Uprising | Cutler (voice) |
| 2013 | Wilfred | Dr. Blum |
| 2013 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Todd Broger |
| 2013 | Comedy Bang! Bang! | Angelfire |
| 2013 | The Eric Andre Show | Himself |
| 2014 | Beware the Batman | Ra’s al Ghul (voice) |
| 2014 | American Horror Story: Coven | Papa Legba |
| 2014 | Intelligence | DCI Jeffrey Tetazoo |
| 2014 | The Blacklist | The Cowboy |
| 2014 | Key & Peele | Johnson Family Member |
| 2014–2021 | Bosch | Deputy Chief Irvin Irving |
| 2015 | Castle | Keith Kaufman |
| 2015 | Tim & Eric’s Bedtime Stories | Joseph Zagen |
| 2016 | Mary + Jane | David |
| 2017 | Rick and Morty | Alan Rails (voice) |
| 2018–2020 | Corporate | Christian DeVille |
| 2018 | American Horror Story: Apocalypse | Papa Legba |
| 2019 | DuckTales | General Lunaris (voice) |
| 2020 | Castlevania | The Captain (voice) |
| 2020–2022 | Paradise PD | Agent Clappers (voice) |
| 2020 | Through the Eye of the Needle | Narrator |
| 2021 | America’s Book of Secrets | Narrator |
| 2021 | Young Sheldon | Professor Boucher |
| 2022 | Resident Evil | Albert Wesker / Al Wesker |
| 2022 | Farzar | Renzo / Agent Clappers (voices) |
| 2023 | The Legend of Vox Machina | Thordak (voice) |
| 2023 | Invincible | Steven Erickson (voice) |
| 2023 | Bosch: Legacy | Irvin Irving |
| 2024 | Percy Jackson and the Olympians | Zeus |
| 2024 | Kite Man: Hell Yeah! † | Lex Luthor (voice) |
Video Games
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 50 Cent: Blood on the Sand |
| 2014 | Destiny |
| 2015 | Destiny: The Taken King |
| 2016 | Quantum Break |
| 2016 | Destiny: Rise of Iron |
| 2017 | Payday 2 |
| 2017 | Horizon Zero Dawn |
| 2017 | Destiny 2 |
| 2018 | Destiny 2: Warmind |
| 2018 | Destiny 2: Forsaken |
| 2019 | Destiny 2: Shadowkeep |
| 2019 | John Wick Hex |
| 2020 | Destiny 2: Beyond Light |
| 2022 | Horizon Forbidden West |
| 2022 | Destiny 2: The Witch Queen |
| 2023 | Destiny 2: Lightfall |
| 2023 | Hellboy Web of Wyrd |
Awards and Nominations
- Nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television, Fringe (2010)
- Nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television, Fringe (2012)
- Nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television, Bosch (2015)
Discography
- 2007: Contemplations & Remembrances
