Playwright, actor, and director Samm-Art Williams, known for his Tony-nominated work and his role as an executive producer on NBC’s The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, has passed away at the age of 78.
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Williams died on Monday, May 13, 2024, in Burgaw, North Carolina, according to his cousin Carol Brown, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
“Mr. Williams’ contributions to American theater and television will live on, but he will be greatly missed,” Brown said in a statement.
In the theater world, Williams gained recognition for his Tony-nominated play Home, which premiered on Broadway in 1980 under the direction of Douglas Turner Ward and the production of the Negro Ensemble Company.
The acclaimed production is set for a Broadway revival on June 5, directed by Kenny Leon.
Home not only received a Tony nomination for Best Play but also garnered accolades such as an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk nomination, an NAACP Image Award, and a North Carolina Governor’s Award.
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Williams also penned other notable works including Welcome to Black River and Friends, which were staged in New York, Los Angeles, and beyond.
His contributions extended to television, where he wrote episodes for shows like Cagney & Lacey, The New Mike Hammer, Miami Vice, and The Debbie Allen Special. Williams received two Emmy nominations for his producing roles on Frank’s Place in 1988 and Motown Returns to the Apollo in 1985.
From 1990 to 1993, Williams served as an executive producer on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, starring Will Smith.
Born on January 20, 1946, in Philadelphia, Williams studied at Morgan State University in Baltimore. Throughout his career, he was honored with prestigious awards including the Guggenheim Fellowship and The National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for Playwriting.
He had no spouse or children.
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