Global Courant
Actor Treat Williams, whose nearly 50-year career has included leading roles in the TV series Everwood and the films Hair and Prince of the City, died Monday after a motorcycle accident in Vermont, state police said. He turned 71.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a Honda SUV turned left into a parking lot when it collided with Williams’ motorcycle in the town of Dorset, according to a statement from the Vermont State Police.
“Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He sustained critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, NY, where he was pronounced dead,” the statement said.
Williams was wearing a helmet, police said.
The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries and did not need to be taken to the hospital. He had signaled the turn and was not immediately apprehended, although the investigation into the accident continued, police said.
‘He was the nicest man’
Williams, whose full name was Richard Treat Williams, lived in Manchester Center in southern Vermont, police said.
His agent, Barry McPherson, also confirmed the actor’s death.
“I’m devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented,” McPherson told People magazine.
“He was an actor’s actor,” McPherson said. “Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s.”
Connecticut native Williams made his screen debut in 1975 as a police officer in the movie Deadly Hero and went on to star in over 120 TV and movie roles in comedy and drama, including the movies The Eagle Has Landed, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead , 1941 and Deep Rising.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe award for his role as hippie leader George Berger in the 1979 film adaptation of the hit musical Hair, as well as for his work in Prince of the City.
He appeared on dozens of television shows and starred in Everwood from 2002 to 2006 as Dr. Andrew Brown, a widowed Manhattan brain surgeon who moves to the Colorado mountain town of the same name with his two children.
“The many times we worked together – always great and I was always excited for the next time. Sending all my love to your family Treat. Fly high my friend,” Canadian actress Emily VanCamp, who starred in Everwood, said on Instagram .
More recently, Williams had a recurring role as Lenny Ross on the TV show Blue Bloods.
Williams’ stage appearances include Broadway shows, such as Grease and Pirates of Penzance.
Tributes from former co-stars
Colleagues and friends praised Williams as kind, generous and creative.
Actress Kathy Baker said a “kinder, more professional and dear man you’ll never meet” as she reflected on their time in a Toronto production.
I am so shocked and saddened to hear of Treat Williams passing. He was my TV husband in Toronto on “Against the Wall” for five months, and a nicer, more professional and dear man you’ll never meet. With my condolences and love to his family. 🩷 Treat 🩷
“Treat and I spent months in Rome filming Once Upon a Time in America,” actor James Woods tweeted. “It can be pretty lonely on the road during a long shoot, but his bouncy cheerfulness and sense of humor were a god send. I really loved him and am devastated he’s gone.”
“Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous, creative man,” actor Wendell Pierce tweeted. “He quickly became friends with me and his adventurous spirit was contagious. We only worked on one film together, but over the years we got together occasionally. Friendly and generous with advice and support. RIP.”
