Clarence Williams III, who is known for portraying Prince’s father in the hit movie ‘Purple Rain’ and the cool undercover cop Linc Hayes in the famed series ‘The Mod Squad’ has passed away aged 81.
Allan Mindel, manager of the late actor, gave a statement on Sunday giving details of the actor’s death. According to reports, Williams passed away on Friday at his residence in Los Angeles. The actor is said to have been battling colon cancer.
Portraying the cool detective cop in ‘The Mod Squad’, Clarence Williams III was no less than a Black Power icon in the 1960s and 1970s. At the time, it was considered ground-breaking for a Black actor to have a starring role in the series for five seasons. The show explored the zeitgeist of the late 1960s and acting as a prominent counterculture of the moment, portraying a positive image by dealing with issues such as the Vietnam war and racism. Beyond his influential role in ‘The Mod Squad’ which lasted from 1968 to 1973, the Harlem-born actor also starred in movies like Tales from the Hood, 52 Pick-Up, Reindeer Games, Sugar Hill, The Legend of 1900, and Purple Rain. Williams also played roles in Frankenheimer’s ‘Against the Wall’, and some episodes of Tales from the Crypt.
A native of New York City, the actor was born in 1939 into a creative family and was raised by his grandparents. His career spanned over five decades in television, theatre, and movies. The late actor was married to Gloria Foster, the actress known for playing Oracle in the first two installments of The Matrix, from 1967 to 1984. He is survived by daughter Jamey Phillips and sister Sondra Pugh.
On the news of the actor’s unfortunate demise, tributes poured in from admirers –
Rusty Cundieff, director of the actor in Tales from the Hood, took to Twitter to express his grief;
My sadness at the passing of Clarence Williams III cannot be overstated. His artistry and sheer coolness was extraordinary. I will forever be in his debt for his brilliant performance in Tales From the Hood. Loved working with him! Blessed travels good sir! pic.twitter.com/xRj6JlY5aX
— Rusty Cundieff (@RustyCundieff) June 6, 2021
American singer, songwriter, musician Lenny Kravitz expressed how he saw the late actor as an inspiration;
https://twitter.com/LennyKravitz/status/1401665256368263168
American television and film director Peyton Reed remembered his association with the actor while working on the movie The Love Bug in 1995;
I got to work with Clarence Williams III on my second TV movie, THE LOVE BUG, back in 1995. I had grown up watching him as Linc in THE MOD SQUAD and thought he was the epitome of cool. Turns out he was. Rest In Peace, Clarence. pic.twitter.com/PadZZlTzKJ
— Peyton Reed (@MrPeytonReed) June 6, 2021
