Renowned playwright and producer Samm-Art Williams has passed away at the age of 78.
His cousin Carol Brown confirmed his death, stating that Williams’ significant contributions to American theater and television will endure, although he will be deeply missed.
Williams gained widespread recognition for his play “Home” in 1979, initially produced by the Negro Ensemble Company before moving to Broadway the following year. The play is set to return to Broadway on June 5, carrying forward Williams’ impactful legacy.
“Home” received critical acclaim, earning a Tony nomination for Best Play along with accolades such as the Outer Critics Circle Award, Drama Desk nomination, NAACP Image Award, and North Carolina Governor’s Award.
Williams penned several other notable plays including “Welcome to Black River,” “The Coming and Do Unto Others,” “A Love Play,” “The Last Caravan,” and “Brass Birds Don’t Sing.”
Beyond theater, Williams made significant contributions to television, writing for shows like “The Good News,” “Martin,” “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Frank’s Place,” “Cagney & Lacey,” and “American Playhouse.” He also served as executive producer on “The Good News,” “Martin,” “Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper,” and “Fresh Prince,” and co-producer on “Frank’s Place.”
Born on January 20, 1946, in Philadelphia, Williams studied political science and psychology at Morgan State University before pursuing acting at the Freedom Theater’s Acting Workshop in Philadelphia and later joining the Negro Ensemble Company in New York.
Throughout his career, Williams received numerous honors including the Guggenheim Fellowship and The National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for Playwriting.
He was also nominated for two Emmys and inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2010.
Despite not having a spouse or children, Williams is survived by five cousins. His passing is a significant loss to the entertainment industry, leaving a lasting impact on both television and theater.
