Van Williams dies at 82
By Phil Mills | Dec 8, 2016
Van Williams, the star of the 1966 TV show ‘The Green Hornet’, died last Monday in Scottsdale, Arizona, of renal failure. He was 82.
Williams was a diving instructor in Hawaii when he was discovered by producer Mike Todd in 1957. He then made his way to Hollywood where his big break came as co-star of the ABC television series ‘Bourbon Street Beat’. Although the series only lasted for a year, his character proved so popular that he was recycled as one of the leads in ‘Surfside 6’. Williams also had several bit parts in iconic shows such as ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ and ‘The Dick Van Dyke Show’, as well as appearing in movies like ‘Tall Story’ and ‘The Caretakers’.
In 1966, ABC-TV revived George W. Trendle’s famous radio character in a new series, ‘The Green Hornet’. Van Williams was cast as the mysterious masked hero and his alter ego, newspaper editor Britt Reid. He was ably assisted by Bruce Lee who portrayed his loyal and similarly masked partner and confidant, Kato. Unlike the lampoon comedy approach of the same producer’s ‘Batman’ show, Williams chose to play the role straight which proved to be a divisive decision. Sadly the show only lasted for 26 episodes before it was cancelled.
Williams retired from acting in 1982 to open a Santa Monica, California communications company. However, he did return for a cameo in the 1993 Bruce Lee biopic, ‘Dragon‘.
Williams is survived by his wife; three children, Nina, Tia, and Britt; and five grandchildren.
Source: Variety/Charles Merritt
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