Clarence Williams III, famous for his role in The Mod Squad, passed away Friday in Los Angeles at the age of 81. Forbes reports that the actor lost his battle with colon cancer.
Williams began his career in acting in Broadway’s The Long Dream in 1960. He appeared in several more plays and was nominated for a Tony Award for his role in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground.
He followed that up with several guest appearances in television shows before landing the role of Detective Linc Hayes on The Mod Squad. Williams starred on the show for five seasons before landing supporting roles on shows like Hill Street Blues, The Cosby Show, Miami Vice, and many others.
Williams also starred in many notable films such as I’m Gonna Get You Sucka, Sugar Hill, and Tales From the Hood. He had a standout performance as Prince’s troubled father in Purple Rain. He also starred as the beloved drug dealer Samson Simpson in Dave Chappelle’s Half Baked.
According to the outlet, Williams is survived by his daughter Jamey Phillips, sister Sondra Pugh, niece Suyin Shaw, his grandnephews Elliot and Ese Shaw, and a grandniece, Azaria Verdin.
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