The film and television world is mourning the loss of Isiah Whitlock Jr., who died at age 71, prompting an immediate wave of tributes from collaborators and fans.

On December 30, 2025, Deadline reported that the widely respected and highly memorable actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. had passed away in New York at the age of 71.

Whitlock worked with Lee on six joints: “BlacKkKlansman,” “Da 5 Bloods,” “She Hate Me,” “25th Hour,” “Red Hook Summer” and “Chi-Raq.”