What a Treat!
Photography: Timothy Thimmes
Treat Williams is considered a solid character actor and a celebrity in his own right. He’s been in more than 40 feature films, is no stranger to the stage, and is currently the star of the weekly television drama, “Everwood.” Famous? For sure. Yet in person, Williams comes across as just a guy—a confident, centered guy. His understated, earthy manner helps him blend into Park City’s mountain community, a place he’s called home for more than three years.
“The fact that I can come home at the end of the day and spend time as a father making dinner or getting up to drive my kids to school has been a wonderful change in my life since coming to Park City,” explains Williams over morning coffee. “Now I am more present in my home, and that is the most rewarding part of my life.”
Williams was a New York actor for 30 years before relocating to Utah. “Having been brought here by my work to this wonderful, beautiful place is amazing—it is really like ‘The Sound of Music’ here,” he says. “Had I known what life was really like in Park City, I would have come by choice a lot sooner. Our relocation has been a blessing in disguise.”
When asked how this town has changed him, Williams smiles quickly, saying, “All of the things I love doing, such as skiing, boating, golfing and hiking, I am doing now.”
Williams has true respect for the design of this town. “One of the things I love about the local decision makers is that they have been so focused on what the town needs as far as lifestyle,” he explains. In particular, he is impressed with the trail systems that allow pedestrians to venture all around Park City, especially the routes that offer them access and safety while they exercise. “In our neighborhood, we have great hiking. I walk four minutes from my door and I’m in Round Valley,” Williams says. He has even found a way to combine work with relaxation time. “I take long walks on the trails and memorize my lines,” he says, as he takes folded papers from his pocket. “See what I mean? I just take pages with me on hikes and study as I go.”
Williams removes his glasses and sits quietly for a moment. “I have changed a lot since moving here,” he says. “I was in New York during the 9/11 catastrophe. I had to go to my children’s schools and bring them home that day.” He pauses to reflect upon his changes in lifestyle. “I was always more comfortable at our Vermont farmhouse than I was in New York City anyway.”
Not long after the terrorist attacks, Williams came to Park City in order to film “Everwood.” Living in a quaint, small community away from the daily chaos of a big city has allowed Williams to become who he really wants to be. “Park City is a great fit for me,” he says. And now that he owns two dogs, it seems his transition into the community as an authentic Parkite is complete!
Williams feels a deep gratitude for his current lifestyle and for the good fortune he has felt many times in his life. Relying on his talents as an asset to help others, he is able to give back to his new community. Recently, he and fellow musicians in the D.O.B. Band volunteered their performance time at the Park City Education Foundation’s annual fundraiser. That night, the event raised more than $200,000 to help local schools. Last year, Williams and fellow band members, including Graham Russell from Air Supply, also performed at an event to support Save the Children—an organization that provided relief to Tsunami victims. With his help, the organizers were able to raise $100,000.
Looking Back
Although there was no one particular actor who inspired Williams during his childhood, he was drawn to the craft of acting at a young age. As a child, he adored the screwball comedies of the 1930s. “I loved those films and the actors during that time. Montgomery Clift and James Dean were great, but Cary Grant was the best,” Williams says. “I learned a lot about acting from watching those films.” His love of film stayed with him as he entered adulthood and attended Pennsylvania’s Franklin and Marshall College.
Fresh out of college at the youthful age of 21, Williams headed to New York with a B.A. in English and Dramatic Literature and only a few bucks to his name. There was no time, however, to play the role of starving actor or to tackle unsavory jobs just to make rent, because he landed the coveted role of understudy in “Grease” just two weeks after arriving in the big city. Williams looks back on his first adventure in acting and laughs. “I was on stage covering for actors within a few weeks of getting there. I wasn’t good—but I got good.”
Williams’ luck has continued to hold. He earned a solid reputation from his performances in “Grease” and went on to nab a small role in the film “Deadly Hero” before returning to the stage with a starring role in “Grease.” There was no stopping Williams as he continued to climb the theatrical ladder. Director Milos Forman caught a performance by Williams and was so impressed that he asked him to read for the coveted role of “Berger” in the movie version of “Hair.” After countless readings, Williams got the part, and his electric performance shuttled Williams into stardom. Since then, he has continued to work continuously as an actor and has worked alongside some of the best in the business, including Virginia Madsen, Michelle Pfeiffer, John Malkovich, Nick Nolte, Melanie Griffith and Sandra Bullock.
Everwood
Williams’ current role in “Everwood” is going splendidly. The show is heading into its fourth season and is more popular than ever. The drama is set in the fictitious town of Everwood, Colorado, where Dr. Andrew Brown (Williams) has relocated his family after the death of his beloved wife. In a dramatic effort to strengthen the bonds between him and his kids, Brown and his family leave the cosmopolitan life they had known in New York behind, and settle into a quiet existence in Everwood, where Brown becomes the town doctor.
Williams says he is delighted to be playing the 50-something, self-analyzing Andy Brown. “He is going through a growth spurt spiritually, morally and in every way,” says Williams. “Being able to play someone who is finding himself is fun.”
The creators and writers of Everwood are constantly coming up with new problems for his character. “I don’t know from show to show what is going to happen to this guy,” Williams says. Although Williams is obliged to keep specific storylines secret at this time, he hints that romance is in Andy Brown’s future. “My character is definitely heading into something interesting with his neighbor.”
There is also a true sense of teamwork among the “Everwood” cast and crew, and Williams feels his input is valued. “As I read a script, I feel comfortable telling the writers if I believe a change in the writing would be better,” Williams says.
Williams pats the papers on the table. “This is great material, though, and I often don’t have to say anything.”
“I am very proud of the show’s creator, Greg Berlanti,” adds Williams. He is only in his early 30s and is very gifted,” states Williams. “He gave me a terrific opportunity on the show, and I am grateful for this quality of life he has given me. It is extraordinary.”
There will be a time, of course, when “Everwood” is no longer on television. Williams is a character actor and feels very comfortable playing Andy Brown, but at heart, he knows the challenge of taking on new personas will be in his future. “I have played the same character for four years now. Someday it will be fun to play others.”
When the time comes for the show to wrap, Williams knows that as he takes on new projects, working in other destinations is most likely inevitable. He is already thinking about how he can keep his family settled in Park City while he travels for work. “If I have to shoot in Los Angeles, I can fly back in two and a half hours,” he explains. “That way, my children can continue enjoying this lifestyle, and I can return for a good part of each week to be with my family.” Obviously, he can’t see into the future and know where his acting career will take him, but he does know he will find a way to guarantee that his family continues to enjoy life in this magnificent mountain community.
Williams is truly a movie star, but he is also just another Park City father who loves the serene life in this community and the way his family is thriving here. Hopefully, he will find a way to stay for a long time.
C.J. Johnson is a regular Park City Magazine contributor.
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