Treat Williams’ Former 'Chicago Fire' Co-Star Taylor Kinney Honors Late Actor

Jun 15, 2023

Treat Williams, an actor most popularly known for the movie musical "Hair" and for his role in Steven Spielberg's "1941," passed away at the age of 71 on June 12, 2023. Williams' agent for 15 years, Barry McPherson, confirmed the saddening news to People magazine. 

Born Dec. 1, 1951, in Stamford, Connecticut, Richard Treat Williams had over 120 acting credits to his name. His appearance in the movie musical "Hair" and the movie "1941" catapulted the actor to fame. 

Later on, he also starred in various films like "The Eagle Has Landed," "Prince of the City," "Once Upon a Time in America," "The Late Shift," and "127 Hours," among many others. Aside from working in film, he also became a lead actor in "Everwood," which made him one of the biggest television actors at the time. For his role as Dr. Andrew "Andy" Brown in "Everwood," Treat earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards. 

In his last few years, Treat appeared sparingly in some television shows and films. He appeared as a recurring actor in "Chicago Fire," "Heartland," "Against the Wall," "Eve of Destruction," "White Collar," "Blue Bloods," and a main actor in "American Odyssey" and "Chesapeake Shores." Aside from being a distinguished actor, Treat was also a writer, stage actor and aviator. 

Recent reports stated that Williams lived alternately in Park City in Utah and Manchester Center in Vermont with his wife, Pam Van Sant, and their two children, Gill and Elinor Williams. Keep on reading to learn more about Treat, his life in front of the camera and how his friends are paying tribute to him. 

Treat, a Connecticut native, was the son of Marian, an antique dealer, and Richard Norman Williams, a corporate executive. From Stamford, Treat and his family relocated to Rowayton, Connecticut. 

The actor has a long line of prominent people down his ancestry. His maternal great-great-great-grandfather was US Senator William Henry Barnum, the third cousin of showman P.T. Barnum. Treat was also a distant family relative of one of the American Founding Fathers, Robert Treat Paine. 

Growing up, Treat played a lot of football. He then finished his education at the Kent School in Connecticut and Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. 

Eventually, Treat ventured into acting and had his film debut in 1975 on "Deadly Hero." Afterward, he had a role in "The Ritz," playing a curious detective. In 1979, he was catapulted to fame after playing George Berger in the Miloš Forman film "Hair," based on the hit 1967 Broadway musical. 

He went on to earn his first Golden Globe nomination for the said role. From then on, he appeared in more than 75 films and shows on television. 

Eventually, Treat's second Golden Globe nomination for Best Performance in a Motion Picture came in the form of his starring role in "Prince of the City." Meanwhile, his third nod was for Best Performance in a Miniseries or Television Film for Stanley Kowalski in the television film" A Streetcar Named Desire."

He then earned his Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or a Special Emmy Award for his work in "The Late Shift." 

Aside from his excellent work in film and television, Treat was also a brilliant stage actor. Among the credits in his belt were "Grease," where he played Danny Zuko; "Follies," "Bobby Gould in Hell," "The Pirates of Penzance," "Once in a Lifetime," "Captains Courageous, the Musical," "Oleanna," "Love Letters," and "Some Men Need Help." He won a Drama League Award for "Follies." 

All the fame and popularity that some of his show has contributed was nothing in comparison to the acclaim that he got from playing Dr. Andrew "Andy" Brown in "Everwood." He was nominated for a Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, and a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Parental Unit. 

Sadly, Williams tragically passed away on June 12, 2023, in a vehicular accident. In a statement to People magazine by his agent, McPherson, Treat was killed after a collision occurred between his motorcycle and a car. 

"He was an actor's actor. Filmmakers loved him. He's been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s," McPherson said. "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."

According to authorities, the car crash happened in the afternoon in Dorset, Vermont. Reports revealed that the approaching car was turning and did not see Treat. At the time, the identity of the victim had not yet been revealed, but the press later confirmed it was the famed actor. 

Since his tragic and untimely passing, Treat’s former co-stars have come out in force to remember the beloved actor. Among them was Matt Bomer, who played Treat’s son in the series “White Collar.” In a heartfelt Instagram post, Bomer described Treat as an “absolute treasure.” He wrote:

“This is a tough one, and I don’t like doing this on social media, but I want to share what an absolute treasure Treat Williams was – both as an actor and a person. I was so honored that he agreed to play my father on White Collar, and he jumped in and made every day on set a joy. He taught me in the most beautiful way- through patient example. He’s one of the few actors I’ve worked with who always checked in on me – even years after we worked together. Treat – you were an amazing actor and an even better person and I will miss you. I count myself so blessed to have known you.”

Another onscreen son who paid tribute to the late actor was Taylor Kinney, Treat’s co-star in “Chicago Fire.” Treat appeared in the show from 2013 to 2018 as the father of Kinney’s character, Lt. Kelly Severide. In “Chicago Fire,” Treat’s character, Benny Severide, died of a stroke. On his last day on set, Treat had tweeted a touching photo of himself alongside his co-stars Kinney, Miranda Rae Mayo and Kim Delaney. “Great actors all,” he wrote.

Kinney told People his “thoughts and prayers are with Treat’s family” and added:

“He played my father on Chicago Fire, and 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.”

Condolences to Treat Williams' family. Are you a fan of Treat Williams? What is your favorite performance of his? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other loved ones!