Robert F. Chew, who played the shrewdly calculating Propositon Joe on "The Wire," has died. He was 52.
Chew died of apparent heart failure in his sleep at his home in Northeast Baltimore, his sister, Clarice Chew, told The Baltimore Sun. The actor, who also appeared in "The Wire" creator David Simon's series "Homicide" and miniseries "The Corner," also taught child and adult actors with Baltimore's Arena Players.
Among his students were the young actors who played students and corner boys in the devastating fourth season of "The Wire."
"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," tweeted Chew's "The Wire" co-star, Wendell Pierce.
Another co-star, MIchael K. Williams, expressed his condolences and retweeted a link to a scene of himself and Chew.