‘Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air’ Producer Samm-Art Williams Dies At 78

Samm-Art Williams, who was a producer on the legendary television show ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ has reportedly died at the age of 78. Williams was also a Tony and Emmy-nominated writer and actor.

The screen legend reportedly died on Monday in Burgaw, North Carolina, according to a statement made by his cousin Carol Brown to the Hollywood Reporter.

His marquee career achievement, producing the ‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air,’ stands today. The show is widely recognized as one of the most successful and memorable television sitcoms in the history of the medium.

The show catapulted Will Smith into international fame, and launched an extremely successful acting career for the young man. Alfonso Ribero currently serves as the host of America’s Funniest Home Videos, a show forever hosted by Tom Bergeron.

In every sense of the word, Williams contributed to one of the most successful and popular television sitcoms of all time. The fact that he additionally won Emmy awards and Tony awards is a testament to how talented the legendary producer, actor, and writer truly was.

The Hollywood Reporter reports,

In the theater community, Williams is perhaps best known as the Tony-nominated playwright of Home, which was first directed by Douglas Turner Ward and produced on Broadway by the Negro Ensemble Company in 1980. The show is set to return to Broadway on June 5, with Kenny Leon directing.

In addition to its Tony nom for best play, Home received an Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk nomination, an NAACP Image Award and a North Carolina Governor’s Award.

Williams also wrote Welcome to Black River, Friends and other plays produced in New York, Los Angeles and beyond.

For the screen, Williams wrote episodes of Cagney & Lacey, The New Mike Hammer, Miami Vice and The Debbie Allen Special. He was nominated for two Emmys, as a producer on Frank’s Place in 1988 and Motown Returns to the Apollo in 1985.

The Hollywood Reporter

Rest in peace Samm-Art Williams!