All the Pieces Matter: The Inside Story of The Wire

by Jonathan Abrams

They would tell me, “People would rather believe that Bubbles is not acting. They would rather go, ‘Wow, look at Bubbles’s career now. Good for Bubs.’ ” They would rather believe that, than the actor played by Bubbles is now in other stuff. They don’t want that. That’s not a Hollywood narrative. A Hollywood narrative is, “Remember that junkie that they cast in The Wire? He’s now working.” I was like, “What’s wrong with you people?” It’s one of those backhanded compliments where people really thought, because David Simon was casting so many people from the neighborhood and giving people an opportunity, they just thought they found me. People were like, “Yo, I thought you were a real junkie they found and was now working.” Mark Wahlberg was the first person. I saw him at an HBO party sometime. He’s like, “You’re doing a good job. Don’t fuck up. Don’t fall back on that shit.” I’m like, “What are you talking about, man? I’m from the Bronx.” “Shit, my bad.”