Robert F. Chew  spent five incredible seasons with acclaimed HBO show The Wire, and lost his life in the same city the show took place on Jan. 17. He died while sleeping of apparent heart failure. Tragic news.

The talented actor, who also taught and mentored young actors at the Baltimore Arena Players, was remembered by The Wire‘s creator David Simon. He told The Baltimore Sun, “Robert was not only an exceptional actor, he was an essential part of the film and theater community in Baltimore,” adding, “He could have gone to New York or Los Angeles and commanded a lot more work, but he loved the city as his home and chose to remain here working.”

Though he was best known for playing Proposition Joe on The Wire, he also could be seen on HBO’s The Corner and NBC’s Homicide: Life on the Street. A good friend of Robert’s, former co-star Jamie Hector, tweeted, “I didn’t want to believe this #RIP Robert F Chew, Prop Joe will always be remembered Robert Chew will always be loved and missed!

Robert was a part of an iconic show that people will remember forever, but it appears the friends he made along the way would say that about the man himself. Its always a tragic time when someone passes and its sad to see another person in the Hollywood world lose their life. We send our condolences out to his family and friends.

Our thoughts are with Robert’s family and friends during their time of loss.

Russ Weakland

Follow @mrsandwich96

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