Taylor Kinney Opens Up About the Passing of "Father Figure" Treat Williams
Williams played Kinney's dad on Chicago Fire.
Taylor Kinney (Kelly Severide) is currently mourning the loss of a very special Chicago Fire co-star, Treat Williams.
“My thoughts and prayers are with Treat’s family," Kinney told People after Williams' death announcement in June. “He played my father on Chicago Fire and was a father figure to everyone on set. I’ll always relish our conversations and his uncanny ability to light up a room. We all send love; he will be missed."
On June 12, 2023, Williams was tragically killed in a motorcycle accident at the age of 71.
"It is with great sadness that we report that our beloved Treat Williams has passed away tonight in Dorset, Vermont after a fatal motorcycle accident," his family said in a statement, according to NBC News. "As you can imagine, we are shocked and greatly bereaved at this time."
"Treat was full of love for his family, for his life and for his craft, and was truly at the top of his game in all of it," they added. "It is all so shocking right now, but please know that Treat was dearly and deeply loved and respected by his family and everyone who knew him."
Barry McPherson, Williams' agent, also gave a statement to CNN about his unexpected passing: "I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented. He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of Hollywood since the late 1970s."
What character did Treat Williams play in Chicago Fire?
Treat Williams played Benny Severide, Kelly Severide's father. We were first introduced to his character in 2013 during the second season. Williams acted in 16 episodes, with his final appearance in Season 7 in 2018. Benny and Kelly had a rocky relationship on the show, as Benny was known to be a drifter.
About Treat Williams
A critically-acclaimed actor, Treat Williams got his start as Danny Zuko on Grease in the '70s and hit mainstream success for his role in the 1979 movie-musical Hair, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination. Other television roles include James Bennett on White Collar, Lenny Ross on Blue Bloods, and a role in Season 13 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
In an "Acting Lessons" video for Netflix, Williams gave some insightful advice to young performers. "The one thing I would say is be concerned with what you’re doing, not how you’re doing," he said. "If you’re very focused on what you have to say, or what you’re trying to tell the other person, or what you’re sharing with the audience, you’re going to be a lot more comfortable, and I think, truthful.”
