Clarence Williams III, 'The Mod Squad' and 'Purple Rain' Star, Dies at 81

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Source: Variety

Clarence Williams III, an actor known for portraying Linc Hayes on “The Mod Squad” and Prince’s father in “Purple Rain,” died on June 4. He was 81.

Williams’ management confirmed his death to Variety, citing the cause as colon cancer.

Williams broke through in 1968 as one of the stars of the counterculture cop show “The Mod Squad,” also starring then-unknown actors Peggy Lipton and Michael Cole. He was a mainstay of the series until its end in 1973, and went on to have a career in film, television and theater spanning four decades.

Williams portrayed Prince’s father in 1984’s “Purple Rain” and had a recurring role as FBI Agent Roger Hardy on beloved TV show “Twin Peaks.” He also had a long-running collaboration with director John Frankenheimer, playing Bobby Shy in 1986’s “52 Pick-Up,” Chaka in 1994’s “Against the Wall,” Archie in the 1997 TV movie “George Wallace” and Merlin in 2000’s “Reindeer Games.”

Read more: https://variety.com/2021/film/news/clarence-williams-iii-dead-dies-mod-squad-purple-rain-1234989765/

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Rest in peace good sir

[Scottie Mom]

1. One of my favorites!

RIP

[jimfields33]

7. He was in the General's Daughter and so many awesome films.

[Scottie Mom]

9. I loved him in the Mystery Woman movie series

I have watched and re-watched those movies.

[jimfields33]

10. Oh my gosh. Absolutely correct!!!!

I just found them last year on hallmark and love them.

[Scottie Mom]

11. Totally agree.

Excellent series of movies.

[marble falls]

2. A truly under rated actor.

[luvs2sing]

3. Oh..I loved Linc.

[NurseJackie]

33. Mod Squad had a great theme song...

[bdamomma]

4. oh

Linc, RIP. I used to watch that show. RIP

[livetohike]

5. Rest In Peace. He was a great actor. Loved Linc. n/t

[captain queeg]

6. Wasn't he in 52 pick up?

He was the bad guy to the actor who played the police chief in Jaws. Anyway, he was really scary in that part.

[lonely bird]

15. Yup, he was great in that part

Loved the movie.

[PSPS]

8. "Solid"

Only Michael Cole ("Pete" ) is left now (just turned 81.)

[BigmanPigman]

12. Ha! That is what popped into my head too.

That is the only time I evrt heard the word used. They were all too cool.

Peggy Lipton just died of Colon Cancer too. Sad.

[dflprincess]

17. Count me in as thinking "solid"

I can't quite wrap my head around the idea that the "cool kids" of my youth are in their 80s (and leaving us).

How did this happend to us????

[keithsw]

14. When I was young

I thought he and his Fro was the coolest thing on television!

[BHDem53]

16. Bummer! Rest in peace, Linc.

[Omaha Steve]

18. His photo

FILE - In this Aug. 12, 2013 file photo, Clarence Williams III arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Lee Daniels' The Butler" at the Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium. Williams died Friday at his home in Los Angeles after a battle with colon cancer, his manager Allan Mindel said Sunday, June 6, 2021. He was 81. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File)

[mahatmakanejeeves]

19. Clarence Williams III (1939-2021):

Clarence Williams III (1939-2021):

Link to tweet

[Mysterian]

31. That show was better than it should have been

Thanks in large part to Mr. Williams' great acting.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

20. Sorry to hear that.

Didn't realize he was that old.

[FakeNoose]

21. Rest in Peace

Cross gently, sir.

[Evolve Dammit]

22. He was my hero. I thought Cosby (I Spy), Greg Morris (Mission Imp.) were all really cool. Still do

for those roles. I never thought of them as different because of skin color or anything other than just plain "solid". RIP Clarence.

[H2O Man]

23. RIP

One of my favorite shows.

Recommended.

[electric_blue68]

24. aaaw. RIP Linc.

I'm glad he had a good career.

[BumRushDaShow]

25. Oh no.

I knew he was still around but hadn't heard much from him recently. Now I know why.

He was part of a group of black actors who were able to break through into "action/drama" (like Richard Roundtree, Georg Stanford Brown, Lou Gosset, Jr., etc.) and they are slowly leaving us.

R.I.P.

[Baked Potato]

26. Man... RIP. Mod Squad was one of the few shows I dug while in high school.

[oasis]

27. "Lincoln" was the chilly reply from the William's "Mod Sqaud" character

when asked who he was by a superior at the police headquarters. I still remember that episode.

Rest in peace Clarence.

[turbinetree]

28. This is so sad.....

[orleans]

29. didn't know much of his work but i always liked him. end of an era. sad to hear he's gone nt

[iluvtennis]

30. Rest in Peace Clarence Williams III and May Your Memory

Be a Blessing

[llmart]

32. I always made it a point to watch that show.

It was excellent and mostly because of him. I wanted to be Peggy Lipton. LOL

So sad that so many icons of our youth are now passing. Sure brings it all home to us boomers who still feel young but know we've lived more years than we have left.

[ProfessorGAC]

34. A Shame

He was a cool cat.
His performance in Purple Rain was outstanding.

[orangecrush]

35. Damn