Treat Williams, known for his illustrious 50-year acting career and notable roles in films such as Hair, Prince of the City, Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, and Deep Rising, has passed away at the age of 71. The actor’s untimely death resulted from a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Vermont, as confirmed by his family in a statement to Deadline.
They expressed deep sorrow and shock over the tragic incident, stating, “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. As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time.”
According to a report from the Vermont state police, the details surrounding the crash are currently under investigation. Preliminary findings suggest that an SUV turned left in front of Williams, leaving him unable to avoid a collision. He suffered critical injuries after being thrown from his motorcycle. Williams resided in rural Vermont and frequently shared his affection for the area through social media posts.
Born Richard Treat Williams in 1951, he initially made his mark in the 1970s as an understudy and later the lead role of Danny Zuko in the Broadway production of Grease. His early filmography included a detective role in Richard Lester’s comedy The Ritz and a portrayal of a US Ranger in the war film The Eagle Has Landed. In 1979, he garnered recognition for his performance as George Berger in the film adaptation of the hippie musical Hair, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination.
Williams continued to impress audiences with his portrayal of idealistic detective Danny Ciello in Sidney Lumet’s 1981 police-corruption drama Prince of the City, a role that earned him another Golden Globe nomination. He also starred alongside Laura Dern in Smooth Talk (1985), based on a Joyce Carol Oates short story, playing the stalker/creep character Arnold Friend. In 1988, he co-starred with Joe Piscopo in the zombie-cop comedy Dead Heat.
His later film credits included the role of ship’s captain John Finnegan in the maritime horror Deep Rising, Critical Bill in the neo-noir thriller Things to Do in Denver When You’re Dead, and a performance opposite Michelle Pfeiffer in the family drama The Deep End of the Ocean. Additionally, Williams portrayed a film producer in Woody Allen’s 2002 comedy Hollywood Ending.
Williams also made a lasting impression on television, notably with his lead role in the long-running series Everwood (2002-2006), where he portrayed a doctor who relocates with his family to a small town in Colorado. This role led to numerous guest appearances on various shows, ranging from The Simpsons to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, further showcasing his versatility as an actor.
