Actor Treat Williams, whose nearly 50-year career has included starring roles on the TV series Everwood and the movie Hair, has died after a motorcycle accident in Vermont
Jun 13, 2023 1:43 am ET
• 3 min reading
DORSET, Vt. – Actor Treat Williams, whose nearly 50-year career has included starring roles on the TV series ‘Everwood’ and the movie ‘Hair,’ died Monday after a motorcycle accident in Vermont, state police said. He was 71.
Just before 5 p.m., a Honda SUV was turning left into a parking lot when it collided with Williams’ motorcycle in the city of Dorset, according to a statement from Vermont State Police.
“Williams was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle. He sustained serious injuries and was flown to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead,” the statement said.
Williams was wearing a helmet, police said.
The driver of the SUV suffered minor injuries and was not taken to the hospital. He had signaled the turn and was not immediately arrested, although the accident investigation was still ongoing, police said.
Williams, whose full name was Richard Treat Williams, resided in the Manchester Center in southern Vermont, police said.
His agent Barry McPherson also confirmed the actor’s death.
“I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented,” McPherson told People magazine.
“He was a real actor,” McPherson said. “Filmmakers loved him.” He’s been the heart of…Hollywood since the late 1970s.”
Born in Connecticut, Williams made his film debut as a police officer in the 1975 film Deadly Hero and went on to have over 120 television and film roles including the films The Eagle Has Landed, Prince of the. City” and “Once Upon a Time in America”.
He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his role as hippie leader George Berger in the film adaptation of the hit 1979 musical Hair.
He has appeared on dozens of television shows, but is perhaps best known for his starring role on Everwood from 2002-2006, in which he played Dr. Played Andrew Brown, a widowed Manhattan brain surgeon who moves with his two children to the Colorado mountain town of the same name.
Williams also had a recurring role as Lenny Ross on the TV show Blue Bloods.
Williams’ stage credits have included Broadway shows including Grease and Pirates of Penzance.
Colleagues and friends praised Williams for being kind, generous and creative.
“Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous and creative man,” actor Wendell Pierce tweeted. “In a short time he became friends with me and his spirit of adventure was contagious. We’ve only worked together on one film, but have kept in touch occasionally over the years. Kind and generous with advice and support. REST IN PEACE.”
Writer, director and producer Justine Williams tweeted that Williams was “the best.” Actor James Woods said: “I really loved him and am devastated that he is gone.”