Following the sudden death of Treat Williams in a motorcycle accident on Monday, the cast of Blue Bloods is paying tribute to their beloved co-star, who passed away at the age of 71.
Tom Selleck, who portrays NYC police commissioner Frank Reagan on the long-running CBS crime drama, shared a heartfelt statement about his close friend. “It has been said that we are all just passing time and occupy our chair very briefly,” Selleck, 78, expressed in a statement to PEOPLE. “My friend Treat was aptly named and occupied his chair so well. I will miss him, but I will not forget him. Well done, my friend.”
Bridget Moynahan, who plays Erin Reagan on the show, remembered Williams as an “actor’s actor” and a true joy to work with. “He was a role model off screen as well,” Moynahan, 52, noted in her statement. “His love and devotion to his family was something to admire. We lost a good one, folks. RIP Treat.”
Vanessa Ray, who portrays Eddie Janko-Reagan, also shared her memories of Williams on Instagram, recounting a special moment on set. “The first time I worked with Treat on Blue Bloods at a family dinner, he found out I was in Hair on Broadway,” Ray wrote. “I said I was the ‘Frank Mills’ girl. He started singing. He knew every word. I did not. What an incredibly sharp, kind, beautiful artist. Rest now, sweet Berger.”
Williams, who played the recurring role of Lenny Ross on Blue Bloods, frequently shared photos from the set on social media. In August 2021, he posted a memorable photo with Selleck, captioning it, “Thanks Tom Selleck and #BlueBloods, always a pleasure. Two old pros.”
Williams’ agent of 15 years, Barry McPherson, confirmed the actor’s passing, calling him “the nicest guy” and a “talented” actor. “He was an actor’s actor,” McPherson said. “Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s.”
Williams was tragically killed when his motorcycle collided with a car near his Vermont home. According to Fire Chief Jacob Gribble, the accident occurred on Route 30 near Dorset, Vermont, when the car’s driver, who was turning, failed to see Williams’ motorcycle. Despite being airlifted to a hospital in Albany, New York, Williams succumbed to his injuries. The investigation into the accident remains ongoing.
In addition to the Blue Bloods cast, many of Williams’ friends and colleagues, including Gregory Smith, Laura Dern, Marilu Henner, Jonathan Bennett, Sarah Drew, Melissa Gilbert, Wendell Pierce, and Kim Cattrall, have paid tribute to the late actor on social media following the news of his death.
