“We Will Miss Him Dearly”: Keanu Reeves, Questlove, Ben Stiller, and More Salute Lance Reddick

When news that 60-year-old actor Lance Reddick died broke on Friday, many fans took to social media to share their favorite moments from his films, television shows, video game voice work, interviews, and sketch comedyappearances. It became clear that the performer known for the John Wick films, award-winning HBO series The Wire (as well as Bosch, Fringe, Oz, and others) and Destiny video games had a strong connection with his audience. 

Many of Reddick’s Hollywood colleagues quickly found themselves part of the online wake. It was an appropriate place for it, too, as the actor himself was a grade A poster. His penultimate tweet was one of himself goofing around with dogs. (His final one was a retweet of D.L. Hughley criticizing Gov. Ron Desantis’s policies.)

Isiah Whitlock Jr. and Wendell Pierce, both alumni of The Wire, remarked on his talent and called him a “friend.”

Wire creator David Simon had to cut himself short when listing the actor’s noble qualities. 

Jared Harris, who worked with Reddick on the science fiction series Fringe, let us know about a dream project that the two hoped to one day get off the ground.

Director and DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn called him “an incredibly nice guy, and an incredibly talented actor.”

Actor Joe Manganiello shared a photo of the two together, and musician/director/force-of-righteousness Questlove simply said what many were thinking.

Ben Stiller reminded people that Reddick worked in theater, as well, including a play with his late mother. 

In a joint statement, John Wick starKeanu Reeves and director Chad Stahelski said, “He was the consummate professional and a joy to work with. Our love and prayers are with his wife Stephanie, his children, family and friends. We dedicate the film to his loving memory. We will miss him dearly.” 

In an interview published by Vulture only last week, Reddick shared just how close he and Reeves had become over the years. In fact, the film’s star came to set on a day he wasn’t shooting, which just so happened to be Reddick’s first day, and also happened to be Reeves’s birthday. Reeves came because, as he told his girlfriend Alexandra Grant, his birthday wish was to go and see Lance. Reflecting on this, and a note Reeves gave him during the shoot, Reddick said, “I’ll never forget it. I’m going to cry now.”

The fourth entry in the Wick series is due to come out next week. Indeed, the performer was scheduled to do some promo on The Kelly Clarkson Show. 

Reddick has some other completed projects that will now be released posthumously. He is listed as one of the leads opposite Regina King in John Ridley’s Shirley Chisholm biopic Shirley, and will also appear in the remake of the sports comedy White Men Can’t Jump. A little over one month ago, he teased his role of Zeus in the upcoming Disney+ adaptation of Percy Jackson and the Olympians.