ILOSM family, we’ve lost another great. Clarence Williams III, the phenomenal actor best known for his roles in the hit series, The Mod Squad, and the films, Purple Rain and Sugar Hill, passed away on June 6, 2021. He was 81 years young.

Williams’ manager, Allan Mindel, revealed the movie star died in his Los Angeles, CA home. A cause of death has not yet been released.

Throughout his decades-long career, Clarence Williams III has left lasting impressions on fans and his fellow entertainers alike. However, the superstar was simply grateful to be recognized, once expressing his gratitude for the love in a 1999 interview:

Via NPR: “All most people know about me is the two hours they’ve invested in a movie theater or the time spent in front of their TV,” he said in an interview in 1999. “There’s so much entertainment out there right now, it’s difficult to break through and become part of the national consciousness. It’s nice to be recognized, and I have no problem with it at all.”

He began his acting career on Broadway, and his other memorable work on film includes, Tales from the Hood, Deep Cover,  The General’s Daughter, Lee Daniels’ The Butler and an uncredited role in American Gangster. While his television appearances include roles Miami Vice, Hill Street Blues,  Everybody Hates Chris and more.

Clarence Williams III Was Married To “The Matrix’ Actress

Williams III married Gloria Foster, who was best known for her performance in the box office hit The Matrix. In the film, which has grossed more than $463.5 million since its 1999 release, Foster portrayed the vital role of the “Oracle,” a mysterious older lady with the power to guide humans in The Matrix. The pivotal role serves as yet another accomplishment on Foster’s filmography. The Matrix film franchise is now considered one of the most successful in film history, with all of the films grossing more than $1,632,989,142, collectively.

She and Williams met on the set of the television show Mod Squad back in the 60s and tied the knot in 1967. The two were actually married more than 15 years before they divorced in 1984. However, even after their divorce, the two remained really close friends. In fact, Williams III was the one to publicly announce his ex-wife’s death on Sept. 29, 2001. May they both rest in peace and power after a remarkable job well done here on earth.