‘Purple Rain’ Star and Linc On ‘The Mod Squad, Clarence Williams III, Dies At 81

“Mod Squad” star Clarence Williams III has died at the age of 81 from colon cancer.

Williams began his career on the stage and earned a Tony nomination in 1965 for best-featured actor in a play for his work in "Slow Dance On The Killing Ground"

But he’s best known for playing undercover cop Lincoln Hayes on the ABC drama “The Mod Squad” from 1968 to 73.

Williams also portrayed Prince’s troubled father in “Purple Rain” and was Wesley Snipes and Michael Wright’s drug-addled dad in “Sugar Hill.”