Hair and Everwood star Treat Williams dies in motorcycle accident

Steve Hopkins

‘Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it’

Treat Williams had died in a motorcycle accident. He was 71.

The Everwood and Hair star’s family announced his passing in a statement, saying: “It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident,” his family said in a statement.

“As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time.”

Williams is survived by his wife, actress Pam Van Sant and their two children Gille and Ellie.

Vermont State Police said Williams was critically injured in Dorset about 4:53pm Monday when a Honda SUV turned in front of him, ending in a collision that threw the performer from his 1986 Honda motorcycle.

Williams was taken to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead.

The driver of the SUV, who was uninjured, was not cited; an investigation into the collision was ongoing, NBC reported.

Williams recently guest starred in HBO’s ‘We Own This City,’ a drama about corruption in Baltimore.

He made his acting debut in the thriller ‘Deadly Hero’ but his breakout role was the 1979 film Hair, based on the Broadway musical.

His performance as hippie group leader George Berger earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Williams earned a second Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a motion picture drama for his role in the 1981 film ‘Prince of the City’.

He also received an Emmy nomination for Best Actor in 1996 for the film ‘The Late Shift’ and a third Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Stanley Kowalski in the 1984 film adaptation of ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’.

Two decades later, he took on the lead role of Dr Andy Brown on the television show Everwood. He starred in all four seasons and earned SAG Award nominations for outstanding performance by a male actor in a drama series in 2002 and 2003. Williams was also in ‘Law & Order’ and ‘Blue Bloods’ and was a star of the stage.

In their statement, his family said his loved ones were “beyond devastated.”

“Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it,” the family said.

“It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him.”

Williams’ agent told US outlet People that Williams was “the nicest guy”.

“I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s.

“He was really proud of his performance this year. He’s been so happy with the work that I got him. He’s had a balanced career.

Former Baltimore Sun journalist David Simon, the creator of “We Own This City,” said he was honoured when Williams signed on to the show.

He tweeted: “After years of cop reporting, ‘Prince Of The City’ was the only film that made me believe anyone else knew the truth about the drug war.

“So honoured when Treat Williams signed on to deliver our own, later critique of the disaster. RIP to a legendary actor and a fine, gracious man.”