I had not thought of one of my all-time favorite television shows for quite some time until I heard the sad news: “Clarence Williams III has died at age 81.”
The Mod Squad was a regularly-scheduled television series from 1968 through 1973, and it came at just the right time for all of us Forney “pseudo hippies” of the late 1960s and early 1970s—longer hair/ facial hair for men, peace signs, wire-rimmed glasses (whether we needed them or not), bell-bottoms, longer frizzy hair for women, “peace” demonstrations, eight-track tape players, the Beatles/Stones/Joplin, the “draft;” I could go on and on! …..Warren Hatley, Bobby Smith, Robert Dobbs, Don Themer living in Sikes Hall at East Texas State University and falling into contact with Harry Power, John Nuzzy, Jim Dunlap, and University Professor, Dr. Keith McFarland, who later became the President of E. T. S. U. in Commerce, Texas.
This show had four characters, who were “in” all the episodes (123)—Tige Andrews (Captain Adam Greer), Peggy Lipton (Julie Barnes), Michael Cole (Pete Cochran), and CLARENCE WILLIAMS, III (Linc Hayes). They epitomized “the makings” for the television version of “the way it was” back then with an acceptable “Old guy” (tough but father-figure), a “Blonde” girl, a “Black” guy, and a “White” guy. It did not hurt that the show was produced by two “big” names, acceptable to the “establishment”— Danny Thomas and Aaron Spelling.
The three “young” characters were all in trouble—Pete had stolen a car.—Julie was a “run-away” (arrested for vagrancy) from her prostitute mother.—Linc had been arrested during the riots in Watts. They received an “offer” from the cops of a way to avoid going to jail or enduring other punishments—become an accepted part of the counterculture of that time, infiltrate the “bad” goings on, expose the wrong-doings and help “put away” the bad guys, who were preying upon other young kids really needing a 2nd chance/ new beginning! Today, we would probably term the three young stars to be “reformed juvenile delinquents.” (I probably “date” myself with this term!)
In my opinion, Julie was not a beautiful woman in the show, but she had that “certain something, that appeal, that air” that attracted young men of the time, and being blonde helped! Pete played the guy, who seemed to be a decent person and fun person to be around but who had made a bad choice and gotten caught, and he epitomized the boy who just needed a 2nd chance. But Linc had me entranced when they introduced him by his real name in the “credits,” Clarence Williams, III, a name exuding “cool, couth, sophistication, badness” in a good way and a person who was SOMEONE!
The show had sociallyrelevant topics, and the promise that the “young squad would never arrest kids, carry guns, or use guns.” It was an immediate award-winner and a groundbreaker, as it employed the concept of featuring an African-American actor on equal footing with the white stars and even a “friendly” inter-racial kiss, which did not bring a single call or letter of protest, according to following reports.
The Squad travelled in Pete’s famous 1950 “WOODY” green Mercury station wagon until the end of the 2nd season, when the vehicle burned after “flying over a cliff.”
This show also helped make popular slang expressions, used by Linc and the other two— “solid, keep the faith, pad, dig it, groovy,” and many others.
Williams (New York Native), who passed on at the age of 81 after a battle with colon cancer, worked in theatre, television, and film and received his start on Broadway after earlier being a “paratrooper.” He was nominated for a “Tony” award for his role in Slow Dance on the Killing Ground in 1964, but his BREAKOUT ROLE came with the introduction of The Mod Squad, after being recommended for the role of “Linc” by Bill Cosby.
Another famous role for Williams came in 1984, when he played the “troubled father” in Purple Rain. He also appeared in 52 Pick-Up, Against the Wall, Reindeer Games, Tales from the Crypt, Half Baked, Tales from the Hood, I’m Gonna Git You Sucka, and Twin Peaks.
Clarence Williams, III— known as a man who never fretted about things, was happy to be recognized, and always continued to enjoy his association as one of the coolest, hippest undercover cops with Mod Squad.
I will close with one of his famous lines from his most famous show, when Captain Greer first met him and said, “You! Name!” Linc replied with, “Hayes!” Greer then asked, “First name?” And Linc Hayes answered with the long, drawn out— ”Lllleeeeeeeeeeennncccoooooooonnn!” I always wanted to imitate that tactic, but I was afraid! ‘Twas probably a good thing I was!
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