‘ONE OF A KIND’

‘House of Cards’ Actor Reg E. Cathey Dead at 59

Won an Emmy for his portrayal of barbecue pit owner Freddy Hayes.

Emmy Award-winning actor Reg E. Cathey, known for his roles on The Wire and House of Cards, has died at the age of 59. The Wire creator David Simon announced Cathey’s passing on Twitter late Friday, lamenting the loss of “one of the most delightful human beings with whom I ever shared some long days on set.” No details on Cathey’s cause of death were provided by his family, but TMZ reported that he’d been battling lung cancer. Cathey’s acting career spanned more than 35 years, but he was perhaps best known for his portrayal of barbecue pit owner Freddy Hayes on House of Cards, a role that gave him an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor. House of Cards creator Beau Willimon, responding to the news of Cathey’s passing Friday night, said the actor was “one of a kind” and will be “greatly missed.” “Brimming with life force, generosity, humor, gravitas, and a fountain of talent,” he wrote.