Veteran actor Frankie R. Faison was born on June 10, 1949 in Newsport News, Virginia. The African-American Frankie, who stands 6'2", took up a drama degree Illinois Wesleyan University. He started his acting career in 1974 by appearing on the TV series King Lear. After that, Frankie appeared in numerous film roles, such as the Stephen King film, Overdrive, and The Silence of the Lambs, opposite heavyweight actors Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster. He is currently starring in HBO's police drama, The Wire. Ervin H. Burrell is the Police Commissioner of the Baltimore Police Department. He is known as a career-conscious individual who had ascended from the ranks of the department. He has an almost sacred regard for the chain of command, and is intent on protecting the department's reputation. He prioritizes the maintenance of good statistics over quality police work.