Bobby Brown, 'The Wire' actor, dies at 62 after barn fire
bobby brown, the actor who played Officer Bobby Brown on the HBO series The Wire, died after a barn fire at his Maryland home. The circumstances and official findings have prompted statements from his family and his talent agency as investigators ruled the death accidental.
Fire at Chaptico barn: what happened on 24 February
Brown, 62, went into a barn at his residence in the St Mary’s County community of Chaptico at about 10pm on 24 February to try to jumpstart a car. The vehicle evidently ignited during the attempt, and Brown called for a fire extinguisher. By the time his wife returned with the extinguisher the blaze had spread quickly throughout the barn; his wife burned her hands trying to reach him, the Maryland state fire marshal’s office said.
Brown’s family summoned firefighters and told them he was trapped inside the burning structure. Firefighters subsequently found him within the barn and pronounced him dead at the scene.
Official findings and medical examiner statements
A representative of the Maryland chief medical examiner’s office said Brown’s death resulted from diffuse thermal injury and smoke inhalation and that the manner of death was determined to be an accident. At the same time, an earlier statement from the talent agency that represented Brown did not disclose a cause immediately after his death; that detail was later clarified by the medical examiner’s office.
Family response: Reina Samara Brown’s statement and funeral plans
Brown’s daughter, Reina Samara Brown, posted an online statement calling losing her father "devastating. " She wrote that "It hurts in a way that sits heavy in my chest and does not move, " and said, "I would give anything to hear his voice again, to see him one more time, and to have one more conversation. "
Her statement urged people to "sit with" their parents, to "ask the extra question" about how they are doing, and to "stay a little longer, " noting that schedules can feel important until a sudden event changes everything. She asked for prayers for the family. Reina Samara Brown also told family members that her father was a devout Jehovah's Witness, and a funeral service is being planned.
Colleagues and agency comment from Bramante Artists and Albert Bramante
Brown was represented by Bramante Artists; it was heartbroken by his death. Albert Bramante, CEO of Bramante Artists, offered a statement saying Brown "was a formidable talent and a man of great integrity, " citing his background as a Golden Gloves champion and praising the authenticity he brought to his work. Brown’s agent, Albert Bramante, said he was "upset and saddened, " calling Brown dedicated to the craft and a joy to work with.
Career highlights: The Wire, television roles and directing work
his IMDb entry and statements from his representatives, Brown grew up in Washington, D. C., and was a champion amateur boxer before beginning an acting career that included early appearances on Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. He appeared as Officer Bobby Brown in 12 episodes of The Wire and was present in all but Season Two of the show’s five seasons, including the Season Five finale, "-30-. "
bobby brown also appeared in the 2022 miniseries We Own This City, which starred Jon Bernthal, and he played a police officer in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and in the 2008 film From Within. In addition to acting, he directed two films: "Off the Chain, " a history of the pit bull released in 2006, and "Tear the Roof Off, " a Parliament-Funkadelic documentary released in 2016.
Recent losses among The Wire cast
Brown’s death came weeks after the series lost other contributors. James Ransone, aged 46, who portrayed Ziggy Sobotka on The Wire, died by suicide on 19 December. Isiah Whitlock Jr., aged 71, who portrayed Clay Davis on the show, died 11 days after Ransone. Other cast members who had died previously include Michael Kenneth Williams (who portrayed Omar), Lance Reddick (who portrayed Lt. Cedric Daniels) and Reg E. Cathey (who portrayed Norman Wilson).
