If you are a fan of “The Wire,” a show I quote her from time to time, you are going to be very sad at this news.
One of the more amusing character actors on the show, Al Brown, who played Major, then Colonel Stan Valchek, is dead.
Valchek reportedly died from complications from Alzheimer’s.
He was 83 years old.
Sad Day
Brown’s manager broke the news stating, “I am sad to let you know that angels came for Al yesterday morning, Friday, January 13, 2023. May his memory be a blessing to his family, his friends, and each of you. This page will remain as a testimony to Al’s work and love for his fans.”
Brown has a pretty significant resume in the acting world.
In addition to “The Wire,” he also boasts credits for numerous major productions, such as “Rescue Me,” “Forensic Files,” “Law & Order: SVU,” “Commander in Chief,” “The Hustler,” ”The Replacements,” “12 Monkeys,” “Lay the Favorite,” “Red Dragon” and “Liberty Heights.”
Brown was excelling as a hard-nosed albeit corrupt Baltimore police official.
He did everything he could to screw up a special investigations team, even going so far as putting his son-in-law, who he deemed to be a subpar police officer, on the team.
Ironically, his son-in-law helped break the code that enabled them to pull information off the wire they had up on the local drug dealers.
Brown officially retired in November 2022, but his last credited role was in 2014, with his last major role having been in “The Wire.”
Rest in peace, Al, for you were one of our favorites.
Source: Page Six (New York Post)
