Robert F. Chew, the actor who played “Proposition Joe” on the cult HBO series “The Wire,” died in his sleep at his Baltimore home. He was 52. The cause of death is believed to be heart failure.

Chew, who appeared in “Homicide” and “the Corner,” as well as “The Wire,” also taught young adult actors at Baltimore’s Arena Players. In 2006, he helped 22 of his students land parts in “The Wire.”