Granville Adams, the actor best known for his performance as Zahir Arif on HBO’s \u00ab\u00a0Oz,\u00a0\u00bb has died. He was 58 years old.<\/b>
\nGranville Adams, the actor best known for his performance as Zahir Arif on HBO\u2019s \u201cOz,\u201d has died following a long struggle with cancer. He was 58 years old. The news was shared in a tribute posted by \u201cOz\u201d showrunner and executive producer Tom Fontana on his Instagram on Sunday. \u201cGoodnight, sweet prince\/and flights of angels sing thee to they rest,\u201d Fontana wrote. Fontana and \u201cOz\u201d star Dean Winters launched a GoFundMe campaign earlier this year to help Adams and his family pay for the actor\u2019s medical care. The campaign had gone on to raise $99,800, exceeding its $69,500 goal, though it remained active as Adams continued to require treatment. \u201cAs many of you know, our friend and brother Granville Adams has been diagnosed with cancer,\u201d Fontana wrote on GoFundMe in January. \u201cIn only a few months, the medical bills have skyrocketed to astronomical levels. Not only does he have to battle this ruthless disease, but now he has to fend off the hospital bills the insurance company refuses to pay. In this quarter alone, the unpaid bills have piled up to $69,550. We want to gather together and show Granville our love by clearing this quarter\u2019s bills, giving Granville concrete support in his fight against this vicious disease.\u201d Adams was a cast member in all six seasons of \u201cOz,\u201d portraying Zahir Arif in 48 episodes. After being incarcerated for possession of stolen goods, Arif undergoes a transformation and reforms himself through Islam to become one of the more tranquil prisoners in the Oswald State Correctional Facility. Adams also had a role on NBC\u2019s \u201cHomicide: Life on the Street\u201d and appeared in \u201cEmpire.\u201d Winters shared his own tribute to Granville on Instagram. \u201cI first met Granny in 1992 and I immediately drank the Kool Aid,\u201d Winters wrote. His smile was infectious, his chuckle was intoxicating. He never, ever spoke ill of anyone and I defy anyone who knew him to say anything negative about this man. Granville was beloved, period\u2026 A humble, beautiful soul who just elevated the afterlife to a whole new level. You will be missed my friend.\u201d \u201cI lost my brotha today after a long battle with cancer,\u201d \u201cOz\u201d costar Kirk Acevedo wrote on Twitter. \u201cI don\u2019t do well with loss because I\u2019m unfamiliar with it. Yo Granny we\u2019ll be chopping it up on the other side one day. Until then\u2026 Rest easy my friend.\u201d<\/p>\n