Lance Reddick was an American actor and musician who was born on June 7, 1962, in Baltimore, Maryland.
He attended Friends School of Baltimore and studied music at the Peabody Preparatory Institute as a teenager.
Reddick went on to study classical music composition at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music degree.
He was best known for his roles in The Wire and the John Wick movie franchise, and played Cedric Daniels in The Wire, Phillip Broyles in Fringe and Chief Irvin Irving in Bosch.
In the John Wick franchise, he starred as Charon.
Lance Reddick early life and upbringing
Reddick attended Friends School of Baltimore and as a teenager, he studied music at the Peabody Preparatory Institute and a summer program teaching music theory and composition at the Walden School.
He studied classical music composition at the University of Rochester’s Eastman School of Music, earning a Bachelor of Music degree.
Reddick moved to Boston, Massachusetts, in the 1980s, where he worked at various odd jobs while hoping to establish a career as a pop singer.
By the early ’90s, however, he was forced to re-evaluate his career plans because of a severe back injury suffered while pulling a double shift waiting on tables and delivering newspapers.
A pressing need to make ends meet made him enroll at the Yale School of Drama, from where he went on to graduate in 1994 with a Master of Fine Arts Degree.
Reddick made his television debut in an episode of New York Undercover in 1994.
He was predominantly known for his television work, but he also delivered memorable performances in a number of films over the course of his career.
Reddick’s first job in the theater was as an understudy for Angels in America, the acclaimed play about AIDS and the Reagan era which was produced on Broadway in 1993-1994 and won that year’s Tony Award for best play.
He then took a role in Anne Meara’s off-Broadway production, After-Play, and also appeared in a Shakespeare in the Park production of Henry V in New York City’s Central Park.
Reddick played Cedric Daniels in The Wire (2002–2008), Phillip Broyles in Fringe (2008-2013), and Chief Irving in Bosch (2014).
He was renowned for his depictions of hard-edged characters on the television crime dramas Oz and The Wire.
Reddick was much sought-after as a voice actor for animations and video games[2]. He also never lost his lifelong passion for music, and, in 2007, released an album of his.
Lance Reddick cause of death
Reddick passed away on March 17, 2023, at his home in Los Angeles.
The cause of his death is disputed by his family attorney, who claims that the death certificate’s conclusion on his cause of death is inconsistent with his habits and fitness.
The death certificate obtained by TMZ lists ischemic heart disease and atherosclerotic coronary artery disease as the immediate and underlying causes of his death.
However, the family attorney claims that no autopsy was conducted on the actor and that the medical conditions listed on the death certificate were not proved by an autopsy and are inconsistent with the facts known to the family.
The attorney also stated that Reddick was the most physically fit person he had ever known, worked out daily at his home gym and maintained a strict diet.
Ischemic heart disease
Ischemic heart disease is a condition in which blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted or reduced in a part of the heart due to narrowed heart arteries.
It is also called coronary artery disease (CAD) or coronary heart disease.
Ischemia often causes chest pain or discomfort known as angina pectoris.
Some people may have ischemic episodes without knowing it or having pain, which is called silent ischemia:
People with angina also may have undiagnosed episodes of silent ischemia.
People who have had previous heart attacks or those with diabetes are also at high risk for developing silent ischemia.
Ischemic heart disease can lead to heart damage and other cardiovascular problems.
As the heart weakens, it has to work harder to send blood to the rest of the body, which can increase the risk of blood clots, heart valve disease, heart failure, abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmia), and other problems.
Like other types of coronary artery disease, some people may not have any symptoms at first.
For some people, the first sign of ischemic heart disease is a heart attack.
To diagnose ischemic heart disease, a healthcare provider may ask about symptoms and perform a physical exam.
Evaluations such as electrocardiogram (ECG), stress test, echocardiogram, and coronary angiography may also be done.
Treatment for ischemic heart disease typically focuses on restoring blood flow and reducing the risk of a heart attack.
Treatment may include medications, a procedure to open blocked arteries (angioplasty), or bypass surgery.
Making heart-healthy lifestyle choices is also important in treating and preventing ischemic heart disease.
Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease
Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease is a type of heart disease caused by the buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries that supply blood to the heart.
This plaque buildup is called atherosclerosis, which is the gradual buildup of plaque in the walls of the arteries due to the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances.
The plaque can cause the arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow, and can also burst, leading to a blood clot.
Atherosclerosis is a slowly worsening disease that may begin as early as childhood, and the exact cause is unknown.
However, it may start with damage or injury to the inner layer of an artery, which may be caused by high blood pressure, high cholesterol, high triglycerides, smoking or chewing tobacco, diabetes, insulin resistance, obesity, inflammation from an unknown cause or from diseases such as arthritis, lupus, psoriasis, or inflammatory bowel disease, a family history of early heart disease, an unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, obesity, sleep apnea and smoking and other tobacco use.
The complications of atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are narrowed or blocked.
For example, when atherosclerosis narrows the arteries close to your heart, you may develop coronary artery disease, which can cause chest pain (angina).
Over time, CAD can weaken the heart muscle, leading to heart failure, a serious condition where the heart can’t pump blood the way it should.
Other complications of reduced blood flow due to atherosclerosis include carotid artery disease, mesenteric ischemia, peripheral artery disease, renal artery stenosis, stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA).
To prevent atherosclerosis, healthy lifestyle habits can help, such as regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, managing any health conditions, especially diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, not using tobacco products, and having a yearly checkup with a healthcare provider to evaluate your risk for atherosclerosis and explain what you can do to lower it.
Lance Reddick career
Reddick made his television debut in an episode of New York Undercover in 1994.
He was best known for his roles as Cedric Daniels in the HBO series The Wire, Phillip Broyles in the FOX series Fringe, and Charon in the John Wick film series.
He was also a sought-after voice actor for animations and video games.
Reddick was known for his deep, resonant voice and his ability to immerse himself fully into his characters as a ‘transformational performer’.
In addition to his acting career, Reddick was also passionate about music.
He released an album of his compositions entitled Contemplations & Remembrances in 2007.
Reddick was married twice and had three children.
