Biography

Isiah Whitlock, Jr. (September 13, 1954 – December 30, 2025) was an American actor. He is most famous for his role on the HBO television series, The Wire as corrupt state senator Clay Davis. In 2011, Whitlock played an insurance agent named Ronald Wilkes in the film Cedar Rapids. Wilkes is a self-described fan of The Wire and does an impersonation of character Omar Little. Whitlock has said that the references to the series were written in before he became involved in Cedar Rapids. He is also notable for appearing in Spike Lee films She Hate Me and 25th Hour as Agent Amos Flood. In all three projects, Whitlock established a catchphrase from his characters' distinct pronunciation of the word "shit" ("sheee-it"). He appeared as Eugine, a supporting role, in the 2003 film Pieces of April. He had a bit part in Goodfellas as a doctor who gives Henry Hill a Valium while attending to his brother. In 2007, he played Ethan Banks in Enchanted. Whitlock made appearances on Chappelle's Show and played various characters on Law & Order and its' spinoff, Law & Order: SVU. He also appeared in promotional spots for the Wii video game Punch-Out!! portraying the character Doc Louis.

Photos

Filmography

View Hoppers
Hoppers

Hoppers

2026Film
7.6
View Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit

1999Series
7.9
View Law & Order
Law & Order

Law & Order

1990Series
7.3
View The Blacklist
The Blacklist

The Blacklist

2013Series
7.6
View The Good Wife
The Good Wife

The Good Wife

2009Series
7.6
View Lucifer
Lucifer

Lucifer

2016Series
8.4
View Elementary
Elementary

Elementary

2012Series
7.6
View FBI
FBI

FBI

2018Series
7.9
View Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Criminal Intent

Law & Order: Criminal Intent

2001Series
7.6
View Gotham
Gotham

Gotham

2014Series
7.6
View The Wire
The Wire

The Wire

2002Series
8.6
View Third Watch
Third Watch

Third Watch

1999Series
7.9