LOS ANGELES — Treat Williams, an actor who starred in "Everwood" and the film adaptation of "Hair," has died in a motorcycle crash, according to Vermont State Police.. He was 71 years old.
Shortly before 5 p.m., a Honda SUV was turning left into a parking lot when it collided with Williams' motorcycle in the town of Dorset, according to a statement from Vermont State Police.
“Williams 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,” according to the statement.
Williams was wearing a helmet, police said.
The SUV's driver received minor injuries and wasn't hospitalized. He had signaled the turn and wasn't immediately detained although the crash investigation continued, police said.
The Connecticut-born actor, whose full name was Richard Treat Williams, lived in Manchester Center in southern Vermont, police said.
Williams' agent confirmed his death to the Associated Press early Tuesday morning.
"He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s," Williams' agent, Barry McPherson, told People magazine. "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."
Williams starred as George Berger in the 1979 film adaption of the Broadway musical "Hair," a role that earned him a Golden Globe nomination. He was nominated again in 1981 for "Prince of the City." He starred on The WB's "Everwood" for all four seasons as Dr. Andy Brown and earned a SAG Award nomination for the role, and had recurring roles on the television shows "Chicago Fire" and "Blue Bloods."
Most recently, he starred as Mick O'Brien in "Chesapeake Shores," a drama series that began on the Hallmark channel, as well as other Hallmark films and Netflix's "Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square."
Colleagues and friends praised Williams as kind, generous and creative.
“Treat and I spent months in Rome filming "Once Upon a Time in America,'” actor James Woods tweeted. “It can be pretty lonely on the road during a long shoot, but his resilient good cheer and sense of humor was a Godsend. I really loved him and am devastated that he’s gone.”
“Working with Treat Williams in Mamet’s “Speed the Plow” at Williamstown in ’91 was the start of great friendship,” tweeted writer, director and producer Justine Williams. “Damn it, damn it. Treat, you were the best. Love you.”
“Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous, creative man,” actor Wendell Pierce tweeted. “In a short period of time, he quickly befriended me & his adventurous spirit was infectious. We worked on just 1 film together but occasionally connected over the years. Kind and generous with advice and support. RIP.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.