Bill Nunn Famous for Playing "Radio Raheem" Has Passed Away

Legendary actor Bill Nunn, famous for his role as Radio Raheem in Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, has passed away at the age of 62. Spike Lee took to Instagram earlier this afternoon to confirm the news, writing a heartwarming caption to his longtime friend stating that “RADIO RAHEEM Is Now RESTING IN POWER.”

Nunn was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Oct. 20, 1953 to William Goldwyn “Bill” Nunn, Jr., a well-known journalist and NFL scout for the Steelers. He attended Morehouse College in the ’70s where he met Spike Lee and was cast in his first feature film playing Grady in School Daze, followed by roles in Mo’ Better Blues and He Got Game. His acting repertoire also included films such as Sister Act 2, Spider-Man and New Jack City, in addition to a Broadway role in Raisin in the Sun. Nunn also established the August Wilson Monologue competition in Pittsburgh providing acting scholarships to students.