Jonathan Majors pays moving tribute to Michael K. Williams

The death of beloved actor Michael K. Williams is still being felt across and beyond Hollywood by those who knew and loved him. Since his death was announced on Monday, several industry greats As Ava DuVernay, Wendell Pierce, Mariah Carey, Spike Lee and Lance Reddick all sent messages of support and fond memories of their time with the actor. Courtney B. Vance, who recently starred in the HBO drama Lovecraft Country with Williams, also shared kind words about the time he spent working with him on Tuesday. Now Jonathan Majors, who reunited with Williams to play his son in Lovecraft (both previously played young and mature versions of the same character in the miniseries When we get up—First Screen Role of the Majors), is finally expressed in a touching tribute to the beloved actor for variety, which reads in part:

I met Michael one scorching day in San Francisco. It was in 2016, and it was my first job. We were to play the same character, that of the late Ken Jones, an LGBTQ rights activist, in the miniseries “When We Rise”. Although we didn’t share any scenes, we did share the same spirit, being assigned the same role. The time we spent eating, talking, praying, laughing created a bond and connection that would then serve as the foundation for our second meeting on HBO’s “Lovecraft Country”.

Years had passed and we had both grown as artists and as human beings. Before the shoot, Michael reached out and we met in New York, just to kick things off. This is where a promise was made “to be our brother’s keeper.” We had to look out for each other, on screen and off. We were aware of the challenges – that the characters we were to play were both holding a mirror for us – and the expense of wit to tell this story, we both knew it would take a Herculean amount of ourselves.

The dynamics of storytelling are so divine and demanding that lifelong bonds are often forged. In this case, the love, respect and trust that has been shared offscreen as men, as black men, as artists, as spiritual beings and sometimes as tormented souls, catapulted us to the screen. It was here that I saw how courageous Michael was, how tough and brave he was, how willing he was to examine his pain and his own joy in order to keep his brother, in order to heal the no one in front of him and all who were blessed enough. to see his dynamic work. He was the protector of this promise.

He then reflected on Williams’ true incarnation of an angel on Earth, recounting how Williams has helped him care for him as a mentor and friend over the years: buying him underwear, footing the bill, explaining the different shades of colognes and candles. , and the last words they spoke, a simple “I love you, my brother.”

The majors concluded, “Although he’s gone, he’s closer than we think. Resting at last, taking her joy and her power to another space and fervently continuing the oath “I am my brother’s keeper”, smiling that toothy smile, her eyes shining and her hoarse voice whispering, “I am to you.” love ”, only now sporting his new smitten wings. Our angel. We love you, Michel. Thank you for your protection and your light.