Lance Reddick, a beloved and prolific actor who starred in movies, TV shows, and video games like John Wick, The Wire, and Horizon Zero Dawn, has tragically passed away at the age of 60. TMZ first reported the news today, citing a police statement to the publication that Reddick died of natural causes.
You’ll most likely know Reddick as The Wire’s Cedric Daniels, a character he played for five seasons from 2002 to 2008. He also starred as Bosch as Deputy Chief Irvin Irving from 2014 to 2021, a role for which he was nominated to win the Award for Best Supporting Actor. in Television Saturn Award for. Over the past 10 years, Reddick has also played Charon, the concierge at the Continental Hotel in all four John Wick movies. However, for players of Bungie’s Destiny 2 live shooter service, Lance Reddick is Commander Zavala, the Vanguard of the Titan class, and Commander Vanguard of The Last City.
Reddick has voiced the character throughout all of Destiny’s seasons and expansions since the original game’s release in 2014 and, until his passing, remained a strong commitment to the series. Many of the franchise’s characters have been recast over the years due to scheduling conflicts and other complications, but Lance Reddick always returned to voice Commander Zavala. Always.
Over the years, Reddick’s performance has resonated deeply with Destiny fans. Driven by his unwavering determination to do the right thing and protect the people of The Last City, Zavala exemplifies what it means to be a Guardian. On top of that, Reddick frequently interacted with Destiny fans on social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram, and even played the game together with them for many years. For many, the idea of Destiny without Lance Reddick’s Commander Zavala is inconceivable.
In the wake of the devastating news, countless Destiny 2 players around the world have come together to hold vigils next to Zavala’s location in The Tower, the game’s main social space. Most instances of The Tower on Destiny 2 servers are filled with players paying tribute to Reddick by kneeling near Zavala, greeting him, or performing other appropriate gestures. Many have chosen to act as ceremonial honor guards, watching over Reddick’s Zavala as he has watched over The Last City for nearly a decade.
The community is also organizing other ways to honor Reddick. Some players choose to decorate their armor and weapons with one of Destiny 2’s many Vanguard-themed shaders, while others chose to wear the “Push Forward” emblem that features the same symbol seen on Zavala’s chest armor. Many are doing both.
Bungie, developer of Destiny 2, also published an official statement regarding the news. “Lance Reddick was an iconic presence on screen, in Destiny, and most importantly, in person,” the studio wrote. “His love for our community shone through in Comandante Zavala, in his unwavering dedication to his craft and in the radiant kindness he touched those around him.”
As heartbreaking as Reddick’s passing is, coming together to mourn as a community has helped many Destiny fans ease their grief. Below we embed several of the in-game vigils we’ve seen shared on social media.
“Maybe we are just pebbles skipping across the surface of an ocean. But the ripples we create continue, long after we sink into the sea.” — Safiyah, Zavala’s ex-partner
Rest in peace, Commander. For audacity ad astra.
We know it is. @pparsons was not only our commander, he was also our favorite person. pic.twitter.com/9benjF2OUhMarch 18, 2023
Such moving tributes to Lance Reddick at the Tower. Thank you for everything you have brought to this world and specifically to the Destiny 2 universe. We could always count on the Commander to keep us focused on the mission at hand. Rest well, Lance! We will miss you forever pic.twitter.com/LpWMbfnvZNMarch 17, 2023
The #Destiny2 community pays their respects to Commander Zavala from the late Lance Reddick in-game. 😭 pic.twitter.com/M5Q9m153L2March 17, 2023
In Europe, Zavala has many voices, and yet the Guardians gather at the Tower to honor Lance Reddick. pic.twitter.com/uPC1Ksbr0EMarch 18, 2023
The amount of people gathered around Zavala is so moving… https://t.co/ae2REXcQMs pic.twitter.com/DGmRnrDuEBMarch 18, 2023