Beloved screen actor Treat Williams died Monday afternoon after being involved in a motorcycle accident near Dorset, Vt, according to reports. He was 71 years-old.
Williams was best known for starring in the musical “Hair” and in The WB series “Everwood.”
Williams’ death was confirmed by a statement by his family, released by his agency APA. Vermont State Police reported a road closure near Dorset due to a motor vehicle accident at 5:24 p.m. He was transferred to Albany Medical Center in Albany, N.Y.
“It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vt. after a fatal motorcycle accident,” the statement reads.
“As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. 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. 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. We are beyond devastated and ask that you respect our privacy as we deal with our grief. To all his fans, please know that Treat appreciated all of you and please continue to keep him in your hearts and prayers.”
Williams was also known for portraying a fictionalized version of himself in the guest characters as Jake Stanton in NBC police crime drama Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Early on in his career, Williams was cast as an understudy to John Travolta in the long-running Broadway musical “Grease” in 1973.
Williams eventually landed the leading role of Danny Zuko before moving the following year to a supporting role alongside Travolta in “Over Here!” another musical. More stage roles and positive notices followed before he segued into feature films, starting with his debut as a cop in the low-budget crime thriller “Deadly Hero” (1976). That same year he made more noticeable appearances in the Richard Lester-helmed gay farce “The Ritz” (1976) and “The Eagle Has Landed” (1976), a WWII action adventure starring Michael Caine.
Director Milos Forman cast Williams as Berger, the charismatic hippie leader in “Hair” (1979), the cinematic adaptation of the hit Broadway musical. He was nominated for a New Star of the Year Golden Globe for his performance.
