NORWALK, CONNECTICUT: Treat Williams was a renowned actor in theater, cinema, and television as well as a devoted pilot, husband, and father. He was killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 71. Williams is survived by his former actress wife Pamela Van Sant, with whom he had two children, Gill and Ellie. His 15-year agent Barry McPherson confirmed his death to People Magazine. On Monday at around 5 pm. the incident occurred on Route 30 by Long Trail Auto close to Dorset, Vermont.
Treat is most well-known for his roles as the lead in 'Everwood' and 'Hair,' but his father's role was his most significant one. With his wife Van Sant, the actor was the father of two children: son Gill and daughter Ellie. Treat claimed that his portrayal of a family patriarch in Hallmark's 'Chesapeake Shores' closely reflected his real life with his wife and children in Vermont.
Who are Treat Williams' children?
Gill Williams
Treat and Van Sant welcomed their first child, son, Gill Williams, in December 1992. Gill appeared at ease in the spotlight at a young age, going to movie premieres and red carpet events with his parents. Most recently, in September 2019, he went with his father to a special 40th anniversary showing of 'Hair' at New York City's Metrograph Theater.
Gill appeared in a few short films in 2015, following his father's acting career. He even made one cameo in a project with his father, as Treat noted on Twitter. In March 2015, he captioned a photo of the father-and-son team, "Acting with my son Gill today. Life is perfect."
Gill received his degree from New York University in August 2015. Following graduation, Gill started a career in music and often shared beatboxing and song excerpts on social media. Gill is now a talented artist who frequently shares images of his creations on Instagram. According to People, Gill is very vocal on a number of social justice issues. A drawing of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Sandra Bland, and other victims of police violence was shared by him in 2020 with the message "No Justice, No Peace."
Ellie Williams
Treat and Van Sant's second child, daughter Elinor "Ellie" Williams, was born in September 1998. Ellie grew up around the film and television sets her father worked on, just like her elder brother did. Treat tweeted a picture of Ellie grinning next to his co-stars on the Chicago Fire set in October 2015. "My daughter Ellie was on set all day. You think she would be bored," he wrote next to the picture.
Ellie went to Los Angeles after graduating from The University of Vermont, but she used to spend time with her father when he came to see her. Treat and Ellie most recently went to Universal Studios Hollywood in April, which Ellie documented with a carousel of images on Instagram. She captioned the picture, which featured a cute snapshot of her and the 'Hair' actor enjoying their father-daughter day, "Daddio and I went to the Wizarding World."
Treat Williams shared a beautiful bond with his children
When asked about the 2020 holiday celebrations in his community, Treat once told Southern Living, "Every year we have a Christmas tractor parade where everybody does up their tractor like a Christmas tree and drives the tractors down Main St. Oh it’s wonderful." Due to his filming commitments, the actor was unable to take part in the parade, but he did partake in one yearly ritual with his children every year: cutting down their Christmas tree.
He recounted the annual family outing by saying, "We go to a little, wonderful, vegetable market stand," adding that his daughter Ellie was always tasked with choosing a tree for their house. "And then my son and I, we put it up," Treat continued about his son. "All the decorations come out into the living room, bottle of wine gets set down on the table and we always put on the exact same album. It’s Frank Sinatra’s Jolly Christmas."
"It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident," the family said in an emotional statement following his death, as reported by People. The statement added, "As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time. Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it. It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him."
