# Robert F. Chew, Proposition Joe on The Wire, dead at 52 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 19, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724 "2013-01-19T17:28:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![omni-not](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8dc957/32.png) [@omni-not](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/omni-not)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724/1 "2013-01-19T17:28:15Z")
[http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-01-18/entertainment/bal-proposition-joe-the-wire-robert-chew-dead-at-52-20130118\_1\_young-actors-david-simon-proposition-joe](http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2013-01-18/entertainment/bal-proposition-joe-the-wire-robert-chew-dead-at-52-20130118_1_young-actors-david-simon-proposition-joe) Loved that character instantly. The man who portrayed him was enormously talented. A really nice tribute in the _Baltimore Sun_. Chew could have become an international star had he chosen to migrate to L.A. or New York. He chose to stay put and help Baltimore’s kids. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724/2 "2013-01-19T17:35:31Z")
Wow, sounds like a hell of a guy. And what a great, great role. 52 is far too young these days - RIP Mr. Chew. ---
**Author:** ![JeffB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jeffb/32/188_2.png) [@JeffB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JeffB)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724/3 "2013-01-19T17:39:11Z")
He was wonderful as Prop Joe. And he did great work with the season 4 actors as a coach. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724/4 "2013-01-19T18:19:39Z")
I saw this last night and told **Mrs. FtG** that Prop Joe died. She wanted to know if the real Prop Joe or the actor died. Easy to see her question, since the guy that Omar was based on [died](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donnie_Andrews) in real life recently. I don’t think Prop Joe was based on anyone in particular. The part I like best about his character is that he really did repair toasters and such in that little shop of his. Gotta love a guy who fixes old electronics. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2013, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724/5 "2013-01-19T18:59:52Z")
I’m so sorry to hear this. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [January 21, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/robert-f-chew-proposition-joe-on-the-wire-dead-at-52/647724/6 "2013-01-21T23:59:00Z")
It’s most regrettable that the future dramatic endeavors of Mr. Simon won’t be graced by the talents and beneficence of Robert Chew. Ain’t that a bitch?