Renowned actor Treat Williams, known for his roles in popular TV dramas such as “Blue Bloods” and “Everwood,” tragically lost his life on Monday night due to a motorcycle accident in Vermont, as confirmed by his longtime agent, Barry McPherson, in an interview with CNN. Williams was 71 years old at the time of his passing.
While the local authorities have not officially released the identity of the victim, Jacob Gribble, the fire chief of Dorset, Vermont, shared with People magazine that the incident occurred on Monday around 5 p.m. EST on Route 30 near Dorset’s Long Trail Auto. According to Gribble, preliminary investigations indicate that the driver of a vehicle failed to notice Williams’ motorcycle while making a turn, leading to the collision. CNN has reached out to Gribble for further details. Emergency responders reported that one individual was airlifted to a regional medical center, while another was transported by ground ambulance, as stated in a Facebook post by the fire officials of Manchester, VT.
Born as Richard Treat Williams in Rowayton, Connecticut, the actor pursued a career in theater after studying it in college and later relocated to New York City. There, he secured the understudy role for John Travolta in the musical “Grease” and eventually took over the leading role of Danny Zuko.
Williams’ illustrious screen career included notable early performances, such as his role in director Milos Forman’s 1979 adaptation of the musical “Hair.” He further showcased his talent as a lead actor in the gritty undercover crime drama “Prince of the City,” directed by Sidney Lumet, two years later. Despite not achieving the predicted major stardom, Williams maintained a steady presence in the industry, featuring in various projects such as a TV movie remake of “A Streetcar Named Desire” and portraying characters like boxer Jack Dempsey and FBI chief J. Edgar Hoover in other TV films.
In the 1990s, Williams transitioned into different roles, including portraying the villain in the pulp-comic adaptation “The Phantom” and playing super-agent Michael Ovitz in the HBO movie based on the book “The Late Shift,” which depicted the “The Tonight Show” succession battle between Jay Leno and David Letterman. His remarkable performance in the latter earned him a Primetime Emmy nomination.
Towards the end of the decade, Williams experienced success as a leading action star in the 1998 B-movie “Deep Rising,” a thrilling tale centered around a killer sea monster. He starred alongside Famke Janssen, Wes Studi, and Djimon Hounsou in the film.
Subsequently, Williams found a new avenue for success on television, notably with his four-season stint on the CW series “Everwood” during the early 2000s and a recent appearance in “Chicago Fire.” He also made significant contributions as a core cast member in “Chesapeake Shores,” appearing in 53 episodes from 2016 to 2022. Additionally, he co-starred in the HBO miniseries “We Own This City” in the past year, a project produced by David Simon that delved into corruption and internal politics within the Baltimore police department.
Survived by his wife Pam Van Sant and their two children, Williams’ untimely demise has left his loved ones and the entertainment industry devastated. Agent Barry McPherson expressed his profound sorrow, describing Williams as a kind-hearted and exceptionally talented individual. He highlighted Williams’ enduring influence as an esteemed actor who captured the hearts of audiences since the late 1970s.
In 2020, Williams shared his wisdom in an “Acting Lessons” video for Netflix, emphasizing the importance