Bobby J Brown, the American actor best known for his role in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, has died at the age of 62 in a barn fire at his home in Maryland. He is the third cast member of the show to die since December.
According to the Maryland state fire marshal's office, Brown was trying to jumpstart a car in his barn in Chaptico, St Mary's county, at around 10pm on 24 February. The car ignited during the attempt, and Brown asked his wife for a fire extinguisher. By the time she returned, the fire had spread rapidly, and she burned her hands trying to reach him. Firefighters were called and found Brown inside the barn; he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Maryland chief medical examiner's office said Brown's death was accidental, caused by diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation. In a statement on social media, his daughter Reina Samara Brown described the loss as “devastating” and urged people to cherish time with their parents.
Brown grew up in Washington DC and was a champion amateur boxer before turning to acting. He appeared in shows such as Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, but was best known for playing an officer in 12 episodes of The Wire from 2002 to 2008. He also appeared in the 2022 HBO miniseries We Own This City.
His death follows those of fellow The Wire actors James Ransone, who died by suicide in December, and Isiah Whitlock Jr, who died 11 days later. Other deceased cast members include Michael Kenneth Williams, Lance Reddick and Reg E Cathey.
