Clarence Williams III, 'The Mod Squad' and 'Purple Rain' Star, Dies at 81
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/
Rest in peace good sir
= new reply since forum marked as read
RIP
Linc, RIP. I used to watch that show. RIP
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.
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)
Didn't realize he was that old.
Cross gently, sir.
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.
when asked who he was by a superior at the police headquarters. I still remember that episode.
Rest in peace Clarence.
Be a Blessing
