‘Hair’ and ‘Everwood’ actor Treat Williams dead at 71 after motorcycle accident

Treat Williams died unexpectedly Monday following a motorcycle accident in Vermont.

He was 71.

Williams’ rep, Barry McPherson, first confirmed the news to People Monday night.

“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” he said. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”

Treat Williams sitting in front of house
Treat Williams died following a motorcycle accident.
Everett Collection / Everett Collection
Treat Williams
Williams was 71 years old at the time of his death.
Getty Images
Williams and his family during New York Premiere of "Hollywood Ending" at Chelsea West Theatre in New York City.
Williams and his family at the New York premiere of “Hollywood Ending” at Chelsea West Theatre in New York City.
WireImage

“He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s,” McPherson added. “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.”


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However, McPherson did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.

Treat Williams
Police said the actor was pronounced dead in an Albany, NY, hospital.
Courtesy Everett Collection
Williams and Andy Warhol during Andy Warhol Unveils Poster For "Some Men Need Help" at Chelsea Central Restaurant in New York City, New York, United States.
“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” Williams’ rep, Barry McPherson (not pictured), said Monday night.
Ron Galella Collection via Getty

Shortly after his rep’s announcement, the Vermont State Police released a statement and gave further details surrounding the accident.

Authorities said that around 4:53 p.m., “a southbound 2008 Honda Element […] attempted to turn left into a parking lot.”

The initial investigation detailed that the Element “stopped, signaled a left turn, and then turned into the path of a northbound 1986 Honda VT700c motorcycle operated by Williams.”

Treat Williams
The actor’s decades-long career kicked off in 1976 with his film debut in “Deadly Hero.”
CBS via Getty Images

However, the actor “was unable to avoid a collision and was thrown from his motorcycle.”

“He suffered critical injuries and was airlifted to Albany Medical Center in Albany, New York, where he was pronounced dead,” the statement read.

Officials added that the investigation is in its early stages.

Treat Williams and Pam Van Sant
He is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gill and Elinor.
Getty Images
Williams and singer Maureen McGovern on Jan. 1, 1987
Williams and singer Maureen McGovern on Jan. 1, 1987.
Getty Images

Williams’ decades-long career began with his film debut in “Deadly Hero” in 1976, which led him to accrue more than 120 film credits.

He went on play in numerous films by Steven Spielberg, including “1941,” “Prince of the City,” “Blue Bloods” and “Chesapeake Shore.”

The actor landed his first Golden Globe nomination for his role in the 1979 film “Hair,” based on the Broadway musical. He would later win a Primetime Emmy award in 1996 for his role in “The Late Shift.”

Williams on lawn mower, lawn
Just hours before his death, the actor reflected on the simplicity of living in the countryside.
Twitter

Williams is survived by his wife, Pam Van Sant, whom he married in 1988, and their two children, Gill and Elinor.

Just hours before his tragic death, the actor was enjoying his home as he tweeted a photo of his lawn with the caption, “Mowing today. Wish I could bottle the scent.”

In a separate video of someone mowing his lawn, the Vermont local said, “What a real Vermonter does.”