Proposition Joe is dead: 'Morbidly obese' star of The Wire dies of heart failure in his Baltimore apartment
- Actor Robert F. Chew, best known for his role as the gang leader Proposition Joe on the hit HBO show The Wire, was found dead Thursday in his Baltimore apartment. He was 52
According to the coroner, Chew died of cardiovascular disease, with 'morbid obesity' as a contributing factor, TMZ reported.
Chew's sister, Clarice, told The Baltimore Sun that her brother passed away 'from apparent heart failure in his sleep.'
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Fallen star: Robert F. Chew -- best known for playing Proposition Joe on The Wire -- was found dead from heart failure at age 52
Chew had very little acting experience when he was approached by the creator of The Wire, reporter and writer David Simon, to play the wisecracking drug lord 'Proposition Joe' Stewart. He stayed on for the entire five-season run of the popular series.
Since news of Chew's sudden passing first broke online, tributes began pouring in from the actor's friends and colleagues.
On Friday, actor Michael Kenneth Williams, who memorably portrayed charming stickup boy Omar Little on The Wire, posted a photo on Instagram with the caption: 'R.I.P. to the talented Mr Robert Chew ~prpojoe.'
Other cast members from the series also honored Chew with online tributes, among them actor Wendell Pierce, who wrote: 'To the beloved Robert Chew, a man who was real Bawlmore, and created the iconic character of "Prop Joe", may you RIP. A teacher & friend.'
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