Photo: ABC Television-part of the release is gone but a portion of the ABC New York Avenue of the Americas address remains. / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Clarence Williams III had one of those faces that instantly commands a frame. Best known as Linc Hayes on The Mod Squad, he became, for me, the gold standard of the scene-stealing supporting actor, sharpening films like Purple Rain and American Gangster with a single piercing look. What people often forget is his theatre pedigree, a Theatre World Award and a Tony nomination, which grounds all that screen presence in real stagecraft. He passed in 2021, but that intensity lingers. He is proof that you do not need the lead to be unforgettable, and I will always cherish his work.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Clarence Williams III
- Name (Japanese)
- クラレンス・ウィリアムズ3世
- Reading
- くられんす・うぃりあむず3世
- Born
- August 21, 1939 – June 4, 2021
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Leo / Rabbit
- Origin
- New York City, New York, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- television actor / film actor / stage actor / theatre director / actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- Private
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 1965 Theatre World Award
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Clarence Williams III born?
August 21, 1939 – June 4, 2021.
Where is Clarence Williams III from?
Clarence Williams III is from New York City, New York, United States.
What does Clarence Williams III do?
Clarence Williams III works as television actor, film actor, stage actor, theatre director, actor.
Television actor — see all → · Film actor — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.