IN MEMORIAM
Best known for his starring role as Dr. Andy Brown on The WB’s “Everwood,” actor Treat Williams has died. He was just 71 years old.
Williams was killed in a motorcycle accident in Dorset, Vermont. “He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” said Barry McPherson, Williams’ agent of 15 years, to PEOPLE. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”
Talking further about his client, McPherson said, “He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of the [sic] 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.”
While his identity was unconfirmed at press time by local authorities, PEOPLE notes Jacob Gribble, the fire chief for Dorset, Vermont, that “the crash happened on Monday around 5 p.m. on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto near Dorset, Vermont.” The incident involved “a single car and Williams’ motorcycle. Investigators believe the driver of the car was turning and didn’t see the motorcycle.”
In a statement released to Deadline, the family says, “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.”
You can read the full statement below.
A Statement on the Passing of Treat Williams
The Williams Family
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. 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.
With a career dating back to 1975 when he appeared in the film “Deadly Hero,” Williams ultimately made a name for himself playing George Berger in the 1979 film version of “Hair,” based on the Broadway musical. He earned his first Golden Globe nomination for his portrayal. Williams went on to star in several dozen movies for TV and the big screen, playing good guys and bad guys alike.
In 2002, Williams was cast as Dr. Andrew “Andy” Brown in The WB’s “Everwood,” which followed a father who moves with his two children from upscale Manhattan to the small town of Everwood, Colorado. The series ran for four seasons and was written and produced by Greg Berlanti. The series helped jumpstart the careers of its younger cast, including Gregory Smith, Emily VanCamp (“Revenge”), Chris Pratt (Parks and Recreation,” “Guardians of the Galaxy”), Sarah Drew (Grey’s Anatomy”), Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin) and Sarah Lancaster (“Chuck”), among others.
For six seasons, Williams portrayed Mick O’Brien in the Hallmark Channel original series, “Chesapeake Shores.” In the series finale, which aired last year, his character finally married Megan (played by Barbara Niven, “One Life to Live”). Williams’ most recent credit was as Lenny Ross in a 2023 episode of the CBS drama “Blue Bloods.” He first appeared as the character in 2016.
