Clarence Williams III of 'Mod Squad' Fame, , Dead at 81.
Williams' management confirmed on Monday that the actor died of colon cancer on June 4.
Williams was perhaps best known for the role of Linc Hayes on the television series "The Mod Squad.".
"The Mod Squad" ran on ABC from 1968 to 1973.
Williams' role was considered groundbreaking for the time.
It was a very different role for an African American and a wonderful lead character that a lot of youngsters, black and white, and principally African American youngsters could identify with, Clarence Williams III, via 'USA Today'.
The veteran actor's career spanned nearly six decades.
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In addition to television, Williams received a Tony nomination for one of his early roles on Broadway.
And was no stranger to the big screen, with memorable roles such as Prince's father in the 1980s classic 'Purple Rain.'.
Celebrities reacted to the new of Williams' death on social media.
When I was a kid growing up in NYC, Clarence Williams III was a face on TV that I identified with and that inspired me, Lenny Kravitz, Musician, Twitter
