FRESH Prince of Bel-Air executive producer Samm-Art Williams has died at the age of 78.
The Tony Award-nominated playwright, actor, and director died in his Burgaw, North Carolina home on Monday.
At this time, no cause of death has been reported.
His cousin Carol Brown confirmed his death to The Hollywood Reporter, noting his long list of contributions to American pop culture entertainment.
“Mr. Williams’ contributions to American theater and television will live on but he will be greatly missed,” she wrote in a statement.
A revival of Williams’ Tony-nominated play, Home, is set to return to Broadway in just weeks.
Home is the story of a young Black farm boy navigating the perils of love, a racist economy, and a moral opposition to the Vietnam War.
Tickets for the production are already available, with previews scheduled to begin on May 17 ahead of an official opening night on June 5.
The limited engagement is slated to run through July 21.
Scott Ellis, Interim Artistic Director of Roundabout Theatre Company where the revival of Home is set to open, shared a tribute following Williams’ death.
“This was a man whose contributions to American culture, language and storytelling spanned mediums and generations,” wrote Ellis in his company’s statement.
“Samm-Art Williams’s artistry accomplished what the best creativity can do: opening our eyes, nourishing our minds, and fueling our empathy.
“His name should be included among the greats—as a writer, as a Black talent, and as an American creator. We mourn our loss and celebrate the privilege we have in keeping his work alive,” Ellis concluded.
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER
Home was the first show Williams’ wrote, showcasing his talents early in his entertainment career.
The original production won an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk nomination, the NAACP Image Award, and the North Carolina Governor’s Award.
Although his career and life were bookended by Home, Williams was well-known for multiple popular TV shows.
The TV industry giant wrote for episodes of Cagney and Lacey, The New Mike Hammer, Miami Vice, and The Debbie Allen Special.
Mr. Williams’ contributions to American theater and television will live on but he will be greatly missed.”
Carol Brown
But his most famous contribution to the world of TV was arguably his three-year run as executive producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Williams was also Emmy-nominated as the producer of Motown Returns to the Apollo in 1985 and Frank’s Place in 1988.
The writer and producer also had his fair share of on-screen time as an actor.
He appeared in Blood Simple in 1984 and 1985 as Jim for the PBS limited series, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
He also held roles in 227, Miami Vice, Frank’s Place, The Women of Brewster Place, A Rage In Harlem, Hangin’ With Mr. Cooper, and his very own The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
Williams is survived by five cousins.
