Treat Williams dead at 71: Hollywood mourns the 'remarkable' actor who 'enjoyed his life so much'

Treat Williams, the Hair and Everwood star, is being mourned by Hollywood.

The 71-year-old actor, whose career spanned six decades, died Monday afternoon after a motorcycle accident near Dorset, Vermont. He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

"He was killed this afternoon," his agent Barry McPherson told People. "He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off." He went on to say that not only was he "the nicest guy," but "he was so talented. He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s."

The family released a statement soon after, saying, "It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vt. 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."

Just hours before he died, the actor posted images from his beloved Vermont farm. It was the home Williams, who got his acting start in theater and was also an accomplished aviator, shared with his wife Pam Van Sant, whom he married in 1988. They had two children, Gil and Elinor Williams.

Williams's sudden death has been a blow to those who knew him, worked with him and admired him.

Matt Bomer honored the "absolute treasure," who played his father on White Collar from 2012 to 2013. He said working with him was a "joy" as well as an education. He said Williams was "one of the few actors I've worked with who always checked in on me — even years after we worked together."

Williams also played Taylor Kinney's father on Chicago Fire, between 2013 and 2018. Kinney told People, "He played my father ... [but] was a father figure to everyone on set. I’ll always relish our conversations and his uncanny ability to light up a room. We all send love, he will be missed."

Beverly D'Angelo, who co-starred with Williams in the 1979 movie musical Hair, said they have long leaned on one another navigating the ups and downs of Hollywood stardom. "On and on and on through the years," she said their friendship endured, sharing a screenshot of their last text and telling a story about Williams taking her on a plane ride over NYC. "Always revisiting the old and welcoming the new. Inside jokes and outward affection. Such a beautiful friendship... Brother. Friend. Companion on the path. A gifted, sincere, magnificent human who valued fatherhood and family above all."

A "stunned" Sharon Lawrence, his co-star in the 2020s The Christmas House TV movies, said being with Williams was "always a joyful adventure... What a remarkable man. [He] enjoyed his life so much. He created a beautiful existence and example of solid love."

Emily VanCamp, from Everwood, said it was "wonderful" working with him "and I was always excited for the next time."

Kim Cattrall, who worked with him in the 1999 film 36 Hours to Die, said she was in "shock" over the death of "Dear Treat," a "wonderful actor and friend."

James Woods, his co-star in 1984's Once Upon a Time in America, said Williams's "resilient good cheer and sense of humor was a godsend" when they spent some "lonely" months filming together in Rome.

Wendell Pierce, who worked with him in 2016's Confirmation, called Williams's "adventurous spirit ... infectious."

Rebecca Staab, who appeared with him in 1999's The Substitute 3: Winner Takes All, said she spoke with Williams the night before his death. "Beyond heartbroken," she wrote. "We just spoke last night. LAST NIGHT."

Melissa Gilbert shared a story about Williams, who she said was her childhood crush for his Hair role, sending a plane for her in a time of need — before they had ever met. Williams started flying in 1969, getting his commercial license, a certified flight instructor license and started an aviation company that served TV and film productions. He logged more than 10,000 hours in the air.

"None of us will forget his kindness and humanity. Especially me," Gilbert wrote of his gesture after the death of a friend's child. "Oh how you are loved and oh how you will be missed. All my love to Pam and the kids during this horrible, heartbreaking time. Dearest Treat my friend and childhood crush, may flights of angels sing thee to thy rest."

Here are more tributes from Mia Farrow, who said the loss of "the kindest, most decent man" was just "gutting," Paul Stanley, Billy Baldwin and others.