Melvin Williams (actor)

For other people named Melvin Williams, see Melvin Williams.
Melvin Williams
Born(1941-12-14)December 14, 1941
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
DiedDecember 3, 2015(2015-12-03) (aged 73)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Occupation(s)Author, Actor, Entrepreneur, Community Activist
Years active
  • 1960s–1980s (drug trafficking)
  • 2004–2015 (acting)

Melvin Douglas "Little Melvin" Williams (December 14, 1941 – December 3, 2015) was an African-American actor, author, entrepreneur, public speaker, educator, community activist, gambler and reformed drug trafficker. Considered a drug kingpin in the 1960s,[1] Williams was known for trafficking heroin in Baltimore before he was sentenced to prison in 1985. After his release he began working as a community activist to help reform the lives of underprivileged minorities and youth. He later appeared as “The Deacon” in the HBO series The Wire and served as an inspiration for the show.

  1. ^ Kelly, Jacques (2015-12-04). "Melvin Williams, reformed drug dealer and 'The Wire' actor, dies at 73". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2022-07-26.