Robert F. Chew, who played 'Prop Joe' on 'The Wire', dead at 52

theGRIO REPORT - The passing of Chew spurred an outpouring of grief and condolences from his former cast members...

Luther Vandross was outed as gay after his death.

Robert F. Chew, the large, imposing 52-year-old character actor who famously played the crime boss “Prop Joe” on the acclaimed HBO series The Wire has died of “apparent heart failure in his sleep at his home in Northeast Baltimore,” according to the Baltimore Sun.

The passing of Chew spurred an outpouring of grief and condolences from his former cast members.

Michael K. Williams, who played Omar on The Wire and currently stars on Boardwalk Empire, posted an image of Chew on Instagram with the caption: “‘R.I.P. to the talented Mr Robert Chew #propjoe.’

“Robert was not only an exceptional actor, he was an essential part of the film and theater community in Baltimore,” David Simon, creator of The Wire said in an email to the Sun.

According to the Baltimore Sun, Chew also appeared on The Corner and Homicide. He also mentored youth actors at Baltimore’s Arena Players.

The funeral for Mr. Chew will be Thursday at Calvin-Scruggs Funeral Home.

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