Purple Rain, has died at the age of 81. The actor’s passing was confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter, which noted colon cancer as his cause of death. Williams began his career as a stage actor, earning a Tony award nomination in 1965 for his work in the drama Slow Dance on the Killing Ground. From 1968 to 1973 he starred as Lincoln "Linc" Hayes on the TV show The Mod Squad. The series helped make cop shows cool, as Linc - alongside partners Pete Cochran and Julie Barnes - were counterculture youths who agreed to work as undercover detectives. The trio’s style and demeanor made them pop-culture icons, and Williams stayed with the show for 123 episodes before departing.