Actor Treat Williams Dies At 71 After Motorcycle Accident

On June 12, Treat Williams died. He was 71 when he was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. News of his passing was confirmed by his agent of 15 years, Barry McPherson. “He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” said McPherson.

An actor for over five decades, Williams rose to fame in 1979 thanks to two films: the musical Hair and Steven Spielberg’s 1941. Since then, he landed supporting and starring roles in numerous projects, both on film and TV, including Once Upon a Time in America, Miss Congeniality 2, and Heartland, where he was part of the main cast for season one.

The titanic rise to fame of Treat Williams

ONCE UPON A TIME IN AMERICA, Treat Williams, 1984. ©Warner Bros. / Courtesy Everett Collection

born in Stamford, Connecticut, on December 1, 1951. Williams had deep roots in Connecticut, as his maternal great-great-great-grandfather was Connecticut senator William Henry Barnum; he’s also a distant relative of a Declaration of Independence signatory. Williams started his own journey to greatness with the 1975 thriller film Deadly Hero, his film debut. Playing George Berger in Hair earned Williams a Golden Globe nomination. Another nomination followed in 1981’s Prince of the City.

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McPherson has called Williams “an actor’s actor” who was “the nicest guy. He was so talented,” adding, “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.”

His most recent credits include The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls, sequel to The Christmas House, which he’d also been in, 12 Mighty Orphans, We Own This City, and a recurring role in Blue Bloods.

The acting world mourns a big loss

IN THE BLOOD, Treat Williams, 2014. ph: Francisco Roman/©Anchor Bay Films/courtesy Everett Collection

The heartbreak of Williams’ death is exacerbated by the untimely and tragic nature of it. “He was killed this afternoon,” said McPherson on Monday. “He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off. I’m just devastated”

In their own statement, Williams’ family further shared, “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.”

I’m in shock! RIP Dear Treat.
My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend. pic.twitter.com/hurBQfejRu

— Kim Cattrall (@KimCattrall) June 13, 2023

Actors also shared their tributes to Williams, mourning his loss. “I’m in shock! RIP Dear Treat. My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend,” said Kim Cattrall. “Treat Williams and I got our start together in NYC appearing in 2 Broadway shows, ‘Grease’ and ‘Over Here,'” John Travolta said in an Instagram story. “I’m so sorry Treat. My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed.”