Profile photo of Isiah Whitlock Jr.

Isiah Whitlock Jr.

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.

Filmography

2023
Cocaine Bear

as Bob

Movie
2022
Lightyear

as Commander Burnside (voice)

Movie
2018
The Old Man & the Gun

as Detective Gene Dentler

Movie
2018
BlacKkKlansman

as Mr. Turrentine

Movie
2017
Cars 3

as River Scott (voice)

Movie
2007
Enchanted

as Ethan Banks

Movie
2007
1408

as Hotel Engineer

Movie
1990
Gremlins 2: The New Batch

as Fireman

Movie
2002
The Wire

as Clay Davis

TV Show