- Actor Michael K. Williams posted a photo of his New York City public assistance ID card from 1996 on Instagram, with the caption "#tbt."
- The card features a 29-year-old Williams, less than six years before he landed his starring role on "The Wire," projected him into Hollywood fame.
- His Instagram followers celebrated his successes, with many mentioning his "humble beginnings."
Actor Michael K. Williams shared a photo of his old New York public assistance card on Instagram on Thursday, inspiring commenters to share their own stories.
Williams, known for playing Omar Little on HBO’s "The Wire," posted the photo of his ID card for food coupons and public assistance from 1996, alongside the caption "#tbt."
The card features a 29-year-old Williams, sho grew up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, the same year he landed one of his first film roles when he played a henchman alongside Tupac Shakur in the film "Bullet."
Less than six years later, he landed his starring role on "The Wire," which propelled him to Hollywood fame.
After "The Wire," Williams went on to play Albert "Chalky" White on the HBO series "Boardwalk Empire," and has also appeared in a number of television shows and films since.
His Instagram followers celebrated his successes, with many mentioning his "humble beginnings." Others called Williams an inspiration and thanked him for sharing his story.
One commenter wrote: "I was on food stamps and have a masters degree from an Ivy League school, in between jobs you do what you have to do...we pay into the system..we're are the ones it was created for..temporary assistance for needy families."
Another said: "I have one too!! 20 years later I’m a licensed Dental Assistant and was promoted to Patient Care Coordinator! Slowly but surely God had elevated me beyond my wildest dreams."
Williams' decision to show his public assistance card comes days after people rallied around actor Geoffrey Owens when it was revealed he was working at a New Jersey Trader Joe's.
Photos of Owens went viral last month, and while he was initially upset that he was being shamed for working a day job, he said the support he received from other actors and fans far outweighed the negative reactions.