Isiah Whitlock Jr., best known for his role as corrupt Senator R. Clayton “Clay” Davis on HBO’s “The Wire,” passed away at the age of 71 in New York following a short illness.

Whitlock’s iconic catchphrase “Sheeeeeit” originated in Spike Lee’s films, particularly “25th Hour,” and became a cultural staple after being incorporated into “The Wire,” where he appeared throughout all five seasons.

Born in South Bend, Indiana, Whitlock trained at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco and made his television debut in 1987 with a guest role on CBS’ “Cagney & Lacey.”

Over his three-decade career, he frequently collaborated with Spike Lee on films such as “BlacKkKlansman,” “Da 5 Bloods,” and “Chi-Raq,” and appeared in multiple episodes of the “Law & Order” franchise.

He also had notable recurring roles in television series, including General George Maddox in HBO’s “Veep,” a politically connected figure in Showtime’s “Your Honor,” and his last role as Chief of Police in Netflix’s “The Residence.”