Clarence Williams III, best known for portraying Linc on The Mod Squad, died at the age of 81, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The actor’s management team confirmed that Williams on Friday in Los Angeles died of colon cancer.
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Recommended by Bill Cosby to producer Aaron Spelling for the role of Lincoln « Linc » Hayes, Williams played the character from 1968 to 1973 in 123 episodes over five seasons. The crime drama, created by Bud Ruskin, followed young adults (played by Williams, Peggy Lipton and Michael Cole) who had come into conflict with the law but later became police officers under the guidance of Captain Adam Greer (played by Tige Andrews). . The show highlighted the counterculture of the era, which often included topical issues such as anti-war protests, drug addiction and racism, while the troupe visited schools, prisons and gangs to catch bad guys.
Linc “was a very different role for an African American and a wonderful main character that many young people, blacks and whites, and especially African-American youngsters, could identify with, ”Williams told the Los Angeles Times in a 1995 interview.
Although Williams departed from the role for other opportunities pursue, Williams played the character again in the 1979 television movie The Return of Mod Squad. He then starred in other television series, including Hill Street Blues, TJ Hooker, The Cosby Show, Miami Vice, Twin Peaks, Walker Texas Ranger, Burn Notice, Empire, Justified and more.
His notable films include Lee Daniels’ The Butler, Reindeer Games, The General’s Daughter, Half Baked and Tales From the Hood.
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