Lance Reddick: A Tribute to the Masterful Actor

Kyle St Germain
3 min readMar 18, 2023
Lance Reddick

Lights, camera, action!
— And there he is: you know his voice, you don’t need to see him. It is, of course, the late great Lance Reddick. The man who needs no introduction. From his iconic roles in 'The Wire' and 'Fringe’, to his unforgettable performances in 'John Wick' and 'American Horror Story’, to his voice-acting in 'Destiny’, and the newest 'Horizon Zero Dawn’, Reddick has proven time and time again that he’s a masterful actor.

As fans of television and film, we all have actors that leave an indelible mark on us. Lance Reddick is definitely one of those actors for me.

Just a sexy headshot.

But what made Reddick's performances so captivating? Perhaps it was his ability to imbue his characters with a depth and humanity that few actors can match. Or maybe it's his commanding presence on screen, which draws viewers in and keeps them on the edge of their seats. And that voice, goddamn, don't get me started.

Whatever it was, there's no denying that Reddick has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry as a whole. It's hard to imagine what the entertainment industry would be like without Lance Reddick's contributions. He brought depth and humanity to characters that might have otherwise been one-dimensional. His presence on screen is magnetic, and his performances are always captivating.

Papa Legba from "American Horror Story"

Reddick first caught the attention of audiences with his portrayal of Cedric Daniels in the critically acclaimed HBO series The Wire. His performance as the head of the Major Crimes Unit was nuanced, powerful, and utterly unforgettable. Reddick brought an authenticity to his role that made viewers feel as though they were watching a real-life police officer navigate the complexities of Baltimore's criminal underworld.

But Reddick’s talents extend far beyond his role in 'The Wire’. In, my personal favorite show — maybe ever — the sci-fi thriller 'Fringe’, Reddick played FBI agent Phillip Broyles with equal parts toughness and compassion. His ability to convey emotion through his eyes alone is a testament to his skill as an actor.

Broyles was a man who had seen it all, and Reddick’s performance perfectly captured the character’s mix of toughness and compassion.

Of course, Reddick’s talents aren’t limited to television. In John Wick, he played Charon, the elegant and deadly concierge of the Continental Hotel. And in The Guest, he was a sinister government agent with a hidden agenda.

No matter what role he’s playing, Reddick brought his A-game. He was a true chameleon, able to disappear into his characters and make us forget that we’re watching an actor at all.

As we reflect on the career of Lance Reddick, we can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the performances that have touched our hearts and minds. He has left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry, and we're grateful for the contributions he's made.

Thank you, Lance Reddick, for the incredible work you've done and the countless hours of entertainment you've given us.

So let’s raise a glass to Lance Reddick - the man who brought us so many unforgettable performances, and who has shown us what it means to be a true master of the craft. Here’s to him!
We’ll miss you, Lance.

(Here’s to his best performance though: "Toys R Me")

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Kyle St Germain

Alright, let's start writing and sharing here some of the things that I'm 𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 interested in (be it: Writing, Trading, Money, AI, Gorillas) — Enjoy!