Treat Williams, Prolific Actor And Dead Heat Star Has Died At 71
One of the greatest and most prolific performers in genre cinema history has died, as People Magazine confirmed the legendary Treat Williams tragically passed following a motorcycle accident at the age of 71. The news was confirmed by his longtime agent, Barry McPherson, who told People, "He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off," McPherson said. "I'm just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented." Indeed he was. Treat Williams has over 100 acting credits to his name and if you were to ask a cinephile for their favorite Treat Williams performance, you'd likely get dozens of different answers and they'd all be correct.
Born Richard Treat Williams, he made his film debut in 1975's "Deadly Hero," before nabbing a supporting role in "The Ritz" a year later. His breakthrough, however, was in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical "Hair" in 1979, where he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of George Berger. "He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s," McPherson told People. "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."
Williams never stopped acting throughout his over 40-year career, appearing in films like "Dead Heat," Steven Spielberg's "1941," "Prince of the City," "The Phantom," "Things to Do in Denver When You're Dead," "Deep Rising," "Smooth Talk," "The Late Shift," and TV series like "Blue Bloods" and "Everwood."
A fascinating career and performer
Treat Williams was the type of actor who could elevate any character he played, completely embodying whatever the role called for with absolute perfection. He was a consummate character actor who dabbled in just about every genre imaginable and even if the film was low-budget, sleazy, or — like his recent work for the Hallmark channel — cheesy, Williams gave every project the respect and dedication it deserved. He even had an uncredited appearance in " Star Wars: Episode V — The Empire Strikes Back" as "Echo Base Trooper," after showing up to the set and being permitted to appear as an extra.
In addition to acting, Williams occasionally served as a director, including on the TV movie "Texan" as part of Showtime's Chanticleer Films series. In his personal life, Williams was also an avid aviator. He became a private pilot at the age of 21, owned multiple different planes, and was a certified flight instructor. He even authored a children's book titled "Air Show!" which documents what it's like to attend an airshow in a way that is accessible to young readers and features kid-friendly illustrations of the planes one might see.
He is survived by his wife Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gille and Ellie. As we mourn his passing, the lyrics from "The Flesh Failures/Let the Sunshine In" from "Hair" come to mind as the characters surround their friend played by Williams' gravesite: "Life is around you and in you."
Treat Williams leaves behind an enviable life, career, and legacy. May he rest in peace.