news

R.I.P. Van Williams, star of 'The Green Hornet'

The TV superhero later became a fire fighter.

December 5, 2016, 4:44PM By MeTV Staff

The Everett Collection

Van Williams portrayed the Green Hornet, and his handsome alter ego Britt Reid, for one single season fifty years ago. While it lasted just 26 episodes, the superhero series had a lasting impact. For starters, it introduced the world to the martial arts mastery of Bruce Lee. To this day, The Green Hornet inspires new comic book series and toys featuring the likenesses of Williams and Lee.

Williams died of renal failure at the age of 82 last Monday, accoring to Variety.

Williams was working as a diving instructor in Hawaii when he was discovered by Elizabeth Taylor's husband, producer Mike Todd, in 1957. The athletic actor was cast in Bourbon Street Beat, one of Warner Bros.' hip, exotic detective series modeled after the success of 77 Sunset Strip. In 1960, his character was carried over into Surfside 6.

Six years later, William Dozier, creator of the overnight success Batman, looked to start another vigilante series with a far less campy tone. Enter The Green Hornet. Both Williams and Lee made cameos on Batman, first popping their heads out of windows before fighting the Dynamic Duo in a crossover story.

The following decade, his acting career waned, and Williams became a reserve deputy sheriff and a volunteer fire fighter in Malibu. In 1982, Williams retired from acting to start a communications company. Williams is survived by his wife, three children and five grandchildren.

Tune in to Super Sci-Fi Saturday Night this weekend, December 10, at 12AM | 11C, as MeTV remembers Van Williams with The Green Hornet / Batman crossover, "A Piece of the Action" and "Batman's Satisfaction."

People we have lost in 2016

FLORENCE HENDERSON, BELOVED MOM OF 'THE BRADY BUNCH'

The multitalented actress died on Thanksgiving at 82. READ MORE

BOBBY VEE, TEEN IDOL OF THE 1960S

The "Run to Him" singer died at 73. READ MORE

EDDIE APPLEGATE OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'

Patty Lane's onscreen boyfriend died at 81. READ MORE

GARRY MARSHALL

The creator of Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley passed away at 81. READ MORE

Top image: AP Photo / Nick Ut

PATTY DUKE

Patty Duke, the award-winning actress best known for playing cousins on her eponymous TV show in the 1960s, passed away at the age of 69. READ MORE

Image: Everett Collection

BETH HOWLAND FROM 'ALICE'

Beth Howland, best known as the klutzy waitress Vera Louise Gorman on the hit '70s sitcom Alice, passed away on New Year's Eve at the age of 74. Her death was reported months later. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

MIKE MINOR OF 'PETTICOAT JUNCTION'

The character of Steve Elliott crashed into Petticoat Junction at the start of season four — literally. The pilot played by Mike Minor wrecked his biplane next to the train tracks as the three girls were bathing in their water tower. READ MORE

WILLIAM SCHALLERT OF 'THE PATTY DUKE SHOW'

Best known as Martin Lane, the father on The Patty Duke Show, Schallert died in California at the age of 93. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

ROBERT HORTON OF 'WAGON TRAIN'

Robert Horton, who played Flint McCullough in the popular Western series Wagon Train, passed away at the age of 91. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

JACK RILEY OF 'THE BOB NEWHART SHOW' AND 'RUGRATS'

He was a client of Dr. Hartley and a beloved cartoon dad. READ MORE

ANN MORGAN GUILBERT OF 'THE DICK VAN DYKE SHOW'

Ann Morgan Guilbert, known for her memorable roles on The Dick Van Dyke Show and The Nanny, and seen recently on CBS' Life in Pieces, died at age 87. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

RONNIE CLAIRE EDWARDS OF 'THE WALTONS'

Ronnie Claire Edwards, best known as Corabeth Walton on The Waltons, died at the age of 83. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Television

THERESA SALDANA FROM 'THE COMMISH'

Theresa Saldana, best known for playing the commissioner's wife on the '90s cop drama The Commish, passed away at the age of 61. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

FRANK SINATRA, JR.

The son of Ol' Blue Eyes passed away at 72. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

EARL HAMNER, JR., CREATOR OF 'THE WALTONS' AND 'FALCON CREST'

Earl Hamner, Jr., best known for creating the popular television series The Waltons, passed away at the age of 92. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

ALAN YOUNG OF 'MR. ED'

Wilbur from Mr. Ed was the voice behind some of our favorite animated characters. READ MORE

Image: Associated Press

BUCK KARTALIAN FROM 'PLANET OF THE APES'

Buck Kartalian, best known for his role as Julius in the original Planet of the Apes film, passed away at the age of 93. READ MORE

Images: 20th Century Fox, MGM

MICHU MESZAROS OF 'ALF'

Michu Meszaro, the 2-foot-9-inch man who once portrayed ALF, died at the age of 76. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Television

JOE SANTOS OF 'THE ROCKFORD FILES'

Joe Santos, best known as Sergeant Dennis Becker on the drama series The Rockford Files, passed away at the age of 84. READ MORE

DORIS ROBERTS, 'RAYMOND' MOM AND 'REMINGTON STEELE' STAR

Doris Roberts, beloved mother on Everybody Loves Raymond, died of natural causes at the age of 90.

Image: AP Photo/Laura Rauch

JANET WALDO, VOICE OF JUDY JETSON ON 'THE JETSONS'

Janet Waldo, who entertained children and adults alike as the voice of Judy Jetson on the animated series The Jetsons, died at the age of 96. READ MORE

Images: center, the Everett Collection; animation, Hanna-Barbera

PETER BROWN, STAR OF 'LAWMAN,' 'LAREDO' AND SOAPS

Born Pierre Lind de Lappe in New York City, Peter Brown became a star of many genres, filling his resume with Westerns, Disney movies, exploitation flicks and soap operas in his many decades of working. READ MORE

Image: Brown on Lawman, Wikimedia Commons

MADELEINE SHERWOOD, MOTHER SUPERIOR ON 'THE FLYING NUN'

Sherwood portrayed Reverend Mother Superior Placido on The Flying Nun. She passed at the age of 93. READ MORE

Image: Sony Pictures Television

GEORGE KENNEDY, STAR OF 'COOL HAND LUKE,' 'AIRPORT' AND 'THE NAKED GUN'

George Kennedy, who won an Academy Award for his role alongside Paul Newman in 1967's Cool Hand Luke, passed away in Boise, Idaho. He was 91. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo

MARTIN E. BROOKS OF 'THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN' AND 'HUNTER'

In 1977, Martin E. Brooks accomplished what no other actor had at that point — he appeared as the same character on two different television networks. READ MORE

SYLVIA ANDERSON, CO-CREATOR OF 'THUNDERBIRDS' AND 'SPACE: 1999'

Co-creator and puppeteer of Thunderbirds, Anderson died at her home at the age of 88. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo / LYNNE SLADKY

RICHARD DAVALOS OF 'EAST OF EDEN'

The former roommate of James Dean died at the age of 85. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

GEORGE GAYNES OF 'POLICE ACADEMY' AND 'PUNKY BREWSTER'

George Gaynes, the star of cult '80s classics like Punky Brewster and Police Academy, died at the age of 98. READ MORE

Image: Warner Bros. Pictures

GARRY SHANDLING, COMIC AND STAR OF 'THE LARRY SANDERS SHOW'

The legendary comedian died at the age of 66. READ MORE

Image: The Everett Collection

RET TURNER, EMMY-WINNING COSTUME DESIGNER FOR CAROL BURNETT AND CHER

Ret Turner, one of the most sought after costume designers in television history, passed away at the age of 88. READ MORE

Image: Lucille Ball Comedy Festival

JOE ALASKEY, VOICE OF BUGS BUNNY AND DAFFY DUCK

The Looney Tunes voice actor died at the age of 63. READ MORE

Image: IMDB

KEN HOWARD, STAR OF 'THE WHITE SHADOW'

The former basketball star also appeared on 30 Rock. READ MORE

Image: AP Photo/Lee Celano

PAT HARRINGTON, JR. OF 'ONE DAY AT A TIME'

Along with Bonnie Franklin and Valerie Bertinelli, Pat Harrington, Jr., was one of just three actors to appear on One Day at a Time for the sitcom's entire run, from 1975 to 1984. READ MORE

Image: Sony Pictures Television