Green Hornet star Van Williams RIP

[Earth 2 Chris]

http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/van-williams-dead-dies-green-hornet-1201933644/

I heard rumblings about his passing this morning, but now it's confirmed.

I always thought he could have had a bigger Hollywood career, but I've read in many interviews he grew tired of the game and just walked away. He seemed like a genuine type.

RIP

Chris

[PNGwynne]

I was shocked and deeply saddened to see this post. I'm a great fan of the show. I recall entering (24 years ago?!) a Green Hornet trivia contest sponsored by NOW comics. I won a GH photo autographed by Mr. Williams.

The Green Hornet really grabbed my attention and appreciation and led to my enjoyment of the character in other media like serials and radio. And IMO what made the show memorable (if not successful) was not only the fantastic Bruce Lee, but Van's contribution as well.

RIP sir, thank you for the entertainment and inspiration.

[Hector]

He wasn't a great actor, more of a handsome athlete, that's why he didn't become a bigger star.

But having said that, his Green Hornet portrayal was the perfect compliment to Bruce Lee's Kato.

RIP

[palitoy]

About 20 years ago I was sitting in my apartment when my downstairs neighbour told me that Van Williams was signing at a video store in the annex.

We both ran over there to find him just sitting in the back of the store talking to one guy, (this thing was not advertised well) we stood there listening to him while he told stories for about an hour. He genuinely wanted to be there and was a true gentleman.

[PNGwynne]

^ Yes, I'd read elsewhere how well he treated fans. I enjoyed his cameo in Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story as a tip of the green fedora to them.

[Nostalgiabuff]

sad news. oddly, I thought he had passed a few years back.

[johnnystorm]

Sad news to hear. I loved the Green Hornet show!
RIP.

[daz71]

sad news. oddly, I thought he had passed a few years back.

so did i.i was probably thinking of van heflin.

[Mr.Marion]

2016 has been a tough year for celebrity passings. I watched about half the episodes of the show and saw the Batman crossover episodes atleast 3 times over. Very sad, RIP Van

[hedrap]

^we've grouased about celbe passing before, but it's only going to get heavier over the next few years. Van and Nimoy show we're entering the Golden Age of TV stars...so get ready.

Very nice guy. Couldn't have had a much better life than his.

[thunderbolt]

that rumor had been bouncing around for a few days. Sad to see its true.

[mego maniac mark]

Very sad to hear of his passing. I had the pleasure to meet him back in 95 at a con in Secaucus, NJ. At this same con was Adam West, Julie Newmar , Dee Snider, Peter Criss and Ace Frehley.
Mr. Williams could not have been a nicer man. He and Adam West had the same "handler" or manger that handles the price of the autographs. This guy was a real jerk from what I remember ,making up different numbers for whatever item you wanted signed.
The star had no say in it. I had the gold key comic with he and Bruce Lee on the cover and his manger doubled the price for that item. I was very new at going to cons and paying for autographs, and was unhappy about the price he came up with.
I remember leaving the line not getting it signed and Mr. Williams to his credit explained to me that it wasn't his call. He was so nice and really calmed me down that after talking to him for about 10 minutes, I would up going back on line and paying whatever it was for him to sign that comic.
RIP Van Williams

[Brown Bear]

That sucks. I saw that on Diane McBain's facebook page. Very sad. Cool guy.

[Earth 2 Chris]

He wasn't a great actor, more of a handsome athlete, that's why he didn't become a bigger star.

But having said that, his Green Hornet portrayal was the perfect compliment to Bruce Lee's Kato.

I know it's blasphemous, but the same could be said for Bruce Lee. He wasn't going to win any acting awards either, but he had a swaggering charm and charisma to go along with his moves.

Wililams actually had quite a few leading roles in TV series before his Hornet role, including Surfside 6. I think he was of a similar caliber to just about every other TV leading man of the time.

Chris

[PNGwynne]

I know it's blasphemous, but the same could be said for Bruce Lee. He wasn't going to win any acting awards either, but he had a swaggering charm and charisma to go along with his moves.

Wililams actually had quite a few leading roles in TV series before his Hornet role, including Surfside 6. I think he was of a similar caliber to just about every other TV leading man of the time.

Chris

I was thinking much the same thing. You could say that he wasn't quite as charming or volatile as Robert Conrad, but light-years ahead of someone truly wooden like Troy Donohue.