Tragic news has rocked Hollywood today with the passing of the much-beloved Treat Williams. The 71-year-old actor, known for starring roles on Everwood and Hair, was killed in a motorcycle accident near Dorset, Vermont, on Monday, confirmed by his agent Barry McPherson of 15 years.
In a sorrowful statement, McPherson told PEOPLE, “He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off. I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.” McPherson told Williams that he was an “actor’s actor” and “the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s.”
According to Fire Chief of Dorset, Jacob Gribble, the motorcyclist was the sole person hurt in the incident on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto around 5 p.m. Investigators believe that the driver of the car did not spot the motorcycle and failed to yield while making a turn.
Williams’ Hollywood career began in 1975 with his film debut in Deadly Hero, followed by The Ritz and The Eagle Has Landed, and in 1979, he earned his first Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year -Actor for his performance in Hair. His performance in Prince of the City resulted in Williams clinching a Golden Globe Nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama in 1981.
The actor’s star shone brightest with his portrayal of Dr. Andrew “Andy” Brown on The WB’s Everwood, where he starred for the entirety of the show’s four-season run. Other notable works by Williams include appearances in Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster 1941, ongoing cops-and-crime procedural Blue Bloods, The Late Shift, Chicago Fire and Chesapeake Shores, Heart of Dixie, The Christmas House, Beyond the Blackboard, Safe Harbor, Chasing a Dream, Dolly Parton’s Christmas on the Square and The Noel Diary.
Treat Williams‘ death is an undeniable loss to the entertainment industry. Graced with an overriding talent for performing and honor, his memory will live on through his legacy of beloved projects.