Bobby J. Brown, actor who played officer in 'The Wire,' dies at 62

Bobby J. Brown, actor who played officer in 'The Wire,' dies at 62 Brown played a Baltimore police officer of the same name in the hit HBO series, appearing in most of the show’s seasons. Paul Schiraldi / HBO file Share Add NBC News to Google Feb. 26, 2026, 9:28 PM EST By Meriam Bouarrouj and Phil Helsel Listen to this article with a free account 00:00 00:00 Actor Bobby J. Brown, who played a Baltimore city police officer of the same name in the hit HBO series “The Wire," has died, his representative confirmed Thursday. TMZ first reported news of Brown’s death earlier Thursday. A cause of death was not disclosed by the talent agency that represented Brown, Bramante Artists, or the Maryland Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. TMZ reported, citing Brown's daughter, that Bobby J. Brown died of smoke inhalation Tuesday after a fire in a barn in Maryland. Brown, 62, appeared as Officer Bobby Brown in 12 episodes of “The Wire,” and appeared in all but season two of the show’s five seasons, including in the show’s Season 5 finale, “-30-“ He also played a police officer in “Law and Order: Special Victims Unit” and the 2008 film “From Within.” Brown also directed two films: “Tear the Roof Off,” a Parliament-Funkadelic documentary that came out in 2016, and “Off the Chain,” a history of the pit bull that was released in 2006. Bramante Artists said that it is heartbroken by Brown's death. "Bobby J. Brown was a formidable talent and a man of great integrity. From his storied history as a Golden Gloves champion to his unforgettable presence in The Wire , Bobby brought a rare level of authenticity and heart to his work," agency CEO Albert Bramante said in a statement. Share Add NBC News to Google Meriam Bouarrouj Meriam Bouarrouj is an NBC News assignment editor. Phil Helsel Phil Helsel is a reporter for NBC News.