Reg E. Cathey, 1958-2018.

February 10, 2018 4:03 AM

"Not only a fine, masterful actor -- but simply one of the most delightful human beings with whom I ever shared some long days on set. On wit alone, he could double any man over and leave him thinking. Reg, your memory is a great blessing." - David Simon
posted by wheek wheek wheek (26 comments total)

Out of the many great performances in The Wire, his as the campaign manager of Tommy Carcetti was one to remember. Where he torments Tommy over who he will vote for.
posted by Wordshore at 4:13 AM on February 10, 2018 [6 favorites]

.
posted by parki at 4:28 AM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by gauche at 4:28 AM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by filtergik at 4:44 AM on February 10, 2018

His part in the Wire wasn't big but it was certainly memorable.
posted by fearfulsymmetry at 5:04 AM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]

What a voice. Damn. Studio 360: Reg E. Cathey Reads The Charles Mingus CAT-alog for Toilet Training Your Cat. Thank you, sir.
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:47 AM on February 10, 2018 [3 favorites]

Cathey played a character on the other side of the law in The Corner as did the actor who played Lester Freamon in The Wire. The Corner is on youtube in its entirety.

From the H'wood Rptr obit: In a 2016 interview with The Guardian, Cathey said his career took off after the 44th U.S. president was elected.

"What I did notice is that Barack Obama becomes president and suddenly black people who are well-spoken are working more," he said. "This new market for the well-spoken black actor is all due to Obama. He got inaugurated, and I started working like a fiend — hired by the same people who would previously ask: 'Have you always spoken like that?' It's like, you know what, motherfuckers, yes, I have."
posted by goofyfoot at 6:04 AM on February 10, 2018 [12 favorites]

.

Sure Square One TV was a bit too young for me when it aired in the early 90s, but I loved that show and I followed his career trajectory. Every time he appeared on television I would proclaim to anyone who would listen:"Oh my god, don't you remember this guy? He was on Square One!" Then I'd sing the theme song and get odd stares.

(but i found a good one. last night when i told mr mitt that cathey had died, he couldn't remember who he was. i showed him a picture and he said,"hey - the wire. HEY SQUARE ONE!")
posted by ovenmitt at 6:58 AM on February 10, 2018 [6 favorites]

This guy was the reason I watched House of Cards. He took a bit part and made it into the soul of the show. His lines would stay with me weeks later.
posted by xammerboy at 7:08 AM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]

.
posted by Pendragon at 7:09 AM on February 10, 2018

ovenmitt -- Square One TV is absolutely my point of reference for pointing out Reg E. Cathey in other movies and TV shows, he was a total standout on it. I took a Youtube walk down memory lane and dug up some choice Reg S1TV clips:

Rappin' Judge

Smilin' Al Gorithm at Mathematics 'R' Us

Round It Off

Apple Rap

Ghost of a Chance
posted by Strange Interlude at 7:21 AM on February 10, 2018 [8 favorites]

RIP Deetee.

.
posted by elsietheeel at 7:43 AM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]

.
posted by Halloween Jack at 7:52 AM on February 10, 2018

Querns!


Sigh, RIP.
posted by stevil at 8:13 AM on February 10, 2018 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I was a Square One kid too. Damn.
.
Nine, nine, nine.
posted by rewil at 8:29 AM on February 10, 2018 [5 favorites]

.
posted by epj at 10:28 AM on February 10, 2018

Too young. I don't remember Square One--I was too old for it--but those clips are terrific. Funny to see the contrast with his roles on The Wire and HoC, which I remember vividly. What a voice and presence.

.
posted by hurdy gurdy girl at 10:43 AM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by LobsterMitten at 10:56 AM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by oneironaut at 12:16 PM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by CommonSense at 12:27 PM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by allthinky at 1:15 PM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by TwoStride at 3:29 PM on February 10, 2018

We were smoking cigarettes in the breezeway, Elizabeth, Reg, and I, just at the end of intermission; the audience had gone back in but Bill was onstage with the witches so there was time for a quick one. A middle-aged woman came out of the late winter gloom and approached us. "Excuse me," she asked, "Are you Reg Cathey?" Reg eyed her warily; "Yes?" he replied. the woman's face lit up; "Oh, thank goodness I caught you! Would you mind signing a card for me?" Reg, ever the gentleman, agreed and they began talking. The woman was from somewhere in the middle of the country and was in New York on business; she explained that whenever she came to town, she looked up who was appearing onstage and cross-referenced it against a list of every actor who appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation, so she could get an autograph. Not only had Reg appeared on the show (as a Klingon), but he had somehow made it onto a ST:TNG trading card, which of course the woman had, and there he was. Reg signed the card, the woman thanked him, and walked back into the night. Elizabeth and I were stunned; how bizarre! Reg was nonplussed, however. "That's the third time that has happened to me," he said, "those people are crazy. God Bless 'em."

Whatta guy.
posted by Admiral Viceroy at 5:41 PM on February 10, 2018 [9 favorites]

.
posted by Spatch at 10:06 PM on February 10, 2018

.
posted by heatvision at 6:14 AM on February 11, 2018

.
posted by Ignorantsavage at 10:33 PM on February 12, 2018