Sad news asClarence Williams IIIhas died at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by the Harlem-born actor’s representative thatThe Mod Squadactor died on Friday following complications with colon cancer. While best known for his role in the ABC show, he also appeared on the big screen inPurple Rain,Half-Baked,Sugar Hill, andTales From the Hoodjust to name a few.
Born in 1939 in New York, Williams was the only child of professional musician Clay Williams Jr and actress Eva Taylor. He was also the grandson of jazz pianist and composer Clarence Williams. He served in the US Army for two years before deciding to pursue a career in acting. He made his professional debut on stage inThe Long Dreamon Broadway in 1960. He went on to appear in several other Broadway productions over the next 8 years, including William Hanley’sSlow Dance on The Killing Ground, which earned him a Tony Award nomination. By the time he was making a name for himself as a credible actor, he made the transfer to television that would see his career go from strength to strength.
His breakout role was in the TV cop seriesThe Mod Squadin which he appeared for 123 episodes from 1968 to 1973 when the series ended. He played undercover police officer Linc Hayes in the popular series, which also stared Peggy Lipton and Michael Cole.
Following this, he moved onto other genres clearly not wanting to be typecast in future. In a career that ended up spanning forty years his diverse list of credits included playing Prince’s father in the moviePurple Rain, having a recurring role in David Lynch’s cult TV seriesTwin Peaks, and as Wesley Snipes' dad inSugar Hill.
His many other TV roles saw him appear inThe Littlest Hobo,Miami Vice,Star Trek: Deep Space Nine,The Highwayman,Burn Notice,Everybody Hates Chris,Justified, andLaw & Order, while his movie roles includedThe Cool World,Deep Cover,Tales from the Hood,Half-Baked,Hoodlum,Frogs for Snakes,Starstruck,The General’s DaughterandReindeer Games.
In 2003 he made his first appearance as Philby Cross in theMystery Womanfilm series for Hallmark, which he would continue to star in until 2007. At the same time, her had another recurring role in the Disney seriesAmerican Dragon Jake Longas Councillor Andam. Towards the end of his career, he had role in Ridley Scott’sAmerican Gangsteras Bumpy Johnson, starred inA Day In The Life, The ButlerandSnowbirdin 2016, which would be his last professional acting credit.
In his personal life, Williams was married to Gloria Foster in 1967. The pair worked together when he acted onThe Mod Squad, with Foster appearing in two episodes. They also starred in the filmThe Cool World. The pair filed for divorce in 1984, but they remained good friends after the split and it was Williams who announced Foster’sdeathin 2001. This news originated atCNN.
