Melvin Williams is an American actor. Williams plays The Deacon in The Wire. He had a recurring role in the third, fourth and fifth seasons.
Williams was a convicted drug dealer prior to appearing in the series. His organisation was one of those investigated by Detective Ed Burns when he was working as a police officer. David Simon wrote a five piece series about Williams criminal activity when working as a journalist at the Baltimore Sun. Simon and Burns used their experience investigating Williams as one of their inspirations for the criminals in the series.
Williams reformed in his 50s and worked as a motivational speaker, directing at risk groups away from crime. A dinner with Simon and Burns led to him being cast in the show.
His past was covered in an episode of the documentary series American Gangster in 2007. He also appeared in the documentary film Life in the Game as himself; the film again recounted his criminal past.
Williams passed away in 2015. Simon memorialized Williams as making him rethink the drug war.