Treat Williams.Photo:John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty
John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty
Celebrities across Hollywood are paying their respects to Treat Williams afterhe died Monday following a motorcycle accident.
In the wake of the tragic news, tributes poured in — both to PEOPLE and on social media — from Williams' friends and costars, includingGregory Smith,Sarah Drew,Melissa Gilbert,Wendell PierceandKim Cattrall.
“This news is devastating,” Smith, who played Williams' son onEverwoodfor four seasons from 2002-2006, told PEOPLE in a statement. “Treat was a wonderful man and a brilliant actor. Above all, he loved his family so much. I’m very grateful for the time I got to spend as part of his extended tv family. He made an indelible impression on me during my most formative years. I will always cherish my time with Treat and think fondly of his stories, his laugh and his passion for adventure. I’m sending love to his family, Pam, Gil and Elinor. He will be deeply missed.”
Gilbert shared two posts on Instagram about Williams. The first wasposted earlier on Monday, which read, “This is not real. It can’t be. Oh, This one hurts. #rip #treatwilliams”
She went on to recall a time that Williams helped charter a plane so she could attend a memorial service for her best friend’s son. “Treat, upon hearing why I needed the plane, sent it to me, basically gratis. I paid the pilots’ salary. That’s all,” she wrote. “The night I left Toronto, I got to the plane and he’d stocked it with food and had a desk set up where I could write my eulogy. He’d even sent a note offering his condolences.”
“All of this, and here’s the amazing part, we had never met. Not once. That’s the kind of man Treat was. I did meet him at an award thing a few years later and got to thank him in person. He was so humble about it,” she continued. “His generosity had enabled me to be with Sandy and her family the night before the service and to help them prepare and help her to dress the next morning. Treat’s help that day was invaluable, not just to me but to many, many people. None of us will forget his kindness and humanity. Especially me. 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.”
Facts of LifeactressMindy Cohncommented “💔” whileJonathan Bennettwrote, “Oh my god”.Patti Stangeralso expressed her sadness, writing, “I’m so upset! I met Treat at Hallmark [he] was the most loveliest man! 😢”
Beverley Mitchellcommented, “Noooooo this is so sad! 😢 Treat was incredible and sooo missed! 💔” and Joely Fisher added, “F—ing awful”
In addition to his comment on Instagram, Bennett also shared a statement with PEOPLE, honoring Williams as “the definition of a showman.”
Kim Cattrallshared a photo of Williams andwrote beside it, “I’m in shock! RIP Dear Treat. My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend.”
Ina tweet of his own, Wendell Pierce remembered Williams for being “kind and generous.”
“Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous, creative man,” he wrote. “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”
Justine Batemanshared a photo of the two together andtweeted alongside it: “Working with Treat Williams in Mamet’s ‘Speed the Plow’ at Williamstown in ‘91 was the start of great friendship. Damn it, damn it. Treat, you were the best. Love you.”
Treat Williams.Michael Bezjian/WireImage
Michael Bezjian/WireImage
Actor Kristoffer Polaha shared a slideshow of photos with Williams from the set of Hallmark Channel’sRocky Mountain Christmason Instagram. “RIP Treat,” he wrote. “Your stories will stick with me for the rest of my life. I will tell them often and pass them along. Godspeed, brother.”
Fellow Hallmark star Andrew Walker added on his Instagram Story that he was “heartbroken” over the news and he “learned so much from this man.”
Sharing a photo of himself with Williams, actor James Woodswrote, “Treat and I spent months in Rome filming Once Upon a Time in America. 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. #RIP #TreatWilliams”
Hallmark also paid tribute to Williams, who appeared in several of their projects over the years.
“We are heartbroken over the passing of Treat Williams, a beloved member of our Hallmark family and an immense talent who captured the hearts of millions,” the network said in a statement to PEOPLE. “It was a privilege to have worked with Treat, who brought to life so many memorable characters over the years. We will remember him for the joy he brought to our screens, and the legacy he leaves behind. We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, friends and loved ones.”
After sharing the statement on their Instagram, several stars commented and expressed their sadness.
“So awful. Yes RIP Treat. You were one of the good ones ❤️” wrote Jen Lilley while Alexa PenaVega added, “😭 absolutely heart breaking.”
Williams’Chesapeake Shorescostar Barbara Niven shareda heartfelt tributeto the actor on Instagram following the “unexpected and immense loss.”
“Treat lived large and savored every bit of life. He loved his craft and it was an honor to spend six years with him onChesapeake Shores,” she shared. “He truly was the patriarch of our family, both on and off the set. And he made it so much fun.”
Billy Baldwinwrote a touching tribute on Twitter, remembering the late actor for all his great qualities.
“He had it all. Smart. Talented. Funny. Charming. Successful. Handsome. Compassionate. Heart of gold. And that name… Treat Williams,” he wrote. “He truly and deeply cared about what’s going on here in America and around the world. Climate change, social justice, freedom, truth, tolerance… love.”
John Travoltapaid tribute to his Broadway friend in an Instagram Story, featuring a photo of the pair on stage. “Treat Williams and I got our start together in NYC appearing in 2 Broadway showsGreaseandOver Here,” he wrote. “I’m so sorry Treat. My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed. Love, John.”
“He was killed this afternoon. He was making a left or a right [and] a car cut him off,” McPherson said. “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.”
“He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s,” McPherson continued. “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.”
Jacob Gribble, the fire chief for Dorset, Vermont, told PEOPLE the crash happened on Monday around 5 p.m. near Dorset, Vermont. Per Gribble, investigators believe the driver of a car was turning and didn’t see Williams' motorcycle. WIlliams was the only person hurt and a LifeNet helicopter was summoned to airlift him to a hospital in New York. The Vermont State Police also put out a press release later on Monday, confirming Williams' identity and the details surrounding the crash.
Treat Williams.Rachel Luna/Getty
Rachel Luna/Getty
With more than 120 credits to his name, Williams' career extended over four decades. He made his film debut in 1975 in the thrillerDeadly Hero. From there, he began to take on more film roles, including 1979’sHair, whichearned him his first Golden Globe nominationfor new star of the year - actor. He later earned another Golden Globe nom for best actor in a motion picture drama for his role in 1981’sPrince of the City.
Other credits of his include Steven Spielberg’s1941, Heart of Dixie, Blue Bloods, The Late Shift, Chicago Fire, Chesapeake Shores,Hallmark’sThe Christmas House, and Netflix’sDolly Parton’s Christmas on the SquareandThe Noel Diary.
source: people.com
