Clarence Williams III's career began on stage with the play ‘Dark of the Moo’ in 1957 and he later became popular for ‘The Mod Squad’ and ‘Purple Rain’
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The Mod Squad and Prince’s father in
Purple Rain, has died. He was 81.
Williams died Friday at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with colon cancer, his manager Allan Mindel said Sunday.
A native of New York, Williams s career spanned over five decades in theater, television, and film. He was born into a creative family in 1939 and raised by his musical grandparents. His grandfather was a jazz composer and pianist, his father a musician, and his mother, Eva Taylor, a singer and actress. He got his acting start on Broadway after a stint as a paratrooper and received a Tony nomination for his role in William Hanley’s
Clarence Williams III Tragic Cause of Death Confirmed: Purple Rain Actor Dead at 81, Obituary, Details And More
Clarence Williams III, popularly known for his roles in The Mod Squad and Purple Rain , has passed away at the age of 81.
In an obituary published by Variety, the actor s management confirmed that his cause of death is colon cancer.
Williams was born on August 21, 1939. He spent his early days in New York City where he was born and raised.
As a kid, the late actor was exposed to acting and music as his father was a professional muscisian, he was also raised by his grand mother who s a singer and an actress, as well as his grand father who s a composer and pianist.
Clarence Williams III of TVâs âMod Squadâ dies at 81
The actorâs career in movies, television and stage spanned five decades.
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Clarence Williams III arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of Lee Daniels The Butler in 2013. Williams died Friday at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with colon cancer, his manager Allan Mindel said June 6, 2021. He was 81. [ MATT SAYLES | Matt Sayles/Invision/AP ]
Clarence Williams III, who played the cool undercover cop Linc Hayes on the counterculture series
The Mod Squad and Princeâs father in
Purple Rain, has died. He was 81.
Williams died Friday at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with colon cancer, his manager Allan Mindel said Sunday.