Soap Star Tamara Braun Mourns Shocking Death of Michael K. Williams

Veteran soap star Tamara Braun has never been shy about her bouts with insomnia, sharing tales of her troubles sleeping on social media often. Last night, the veteran Daytime Emmy-winning actress only slept three hours before turning to Instagram and learning some shocking news.

Tamara Braun’s Touching Tribte To Michael K. Williams

“My pup Pearl woke me and I couldn’t get back to sleep,” Braun, who currently plays Ava Vitali on Days of our Lives and also played Carly Corinthos and Kim Nero on General Hospital, wrote on Instagram. “Tried. I read a bit and then, yes, got on IG. I’m glad I did.”

It was there she learned of the tragic passing of actor Michael K Williams, best known for his role as Omar Little on The Wire. “I knew his power as an actor. I knew his brilliance and how his work penetrated my soul,” Braun wrote. “You felt him. He commanded attention. His presence was immense. Everything he was in he had the ability to really draw you in. He listened. He thought. He felt. He had such great depth. And he shared that in his work as an artist. That is why the roles he played as an actor stuck with you. Stuck with me.”

In addition to his role on The Wire, the 54-year-old Williams was known for his work on Boardwalk Empire, The Night Of, and When They See Us. Many expected him to win his first Emmy Award after five nominations for his role as Montrose Freeman on HBO’s Lovecraft Country.

“His truth and humanness, humanity and totality as a sentient being was on display in his work,” Braun said. “But truly, until tonight, I only knew him as an actor/artist. As I said, his work penetrated and effected me deeply. But since I was not sleeping I went to his IG page and scrolled. Looked, listened and learned. I am equally or perhaps even more, yes more impressed with who he was outside of the world of acting for which I knew him.”

Calling Williams “a Doer,” Tamara Braun went on to talk about him as a leader, activist, supporter, educator, and a strong voice for his community. “An Involved human trying to make the world better…to make people feel better,” she said. “And so much more. His depth of character in real life was so powerful which is why it shone through and was so powerful in the characters he played in reel life. Thank you #insomnia for allowing me a small look into who @bkbmg was.”