Cult show was 1960s hit with legendary Lee playing Hornet's driver and bodyguard Kato - before it was remade into big budget Hollywood film
20:52, 05 Dec 2016
Star of cult 1960s television series Green Hornet Van Williams has died at the age of 82.
Actor and Williams' friend Pat Priest confirmed Williams' death to Variety after receiving an email about his death from his wife Vicki Flaxman.
“Sad news. Van passed away last Monday night,” Flaxman wrote. “He really fought hard, but he had more health issues than he could manage. I am heartbroken.”
Producer Kevin Burns confirmed the news on Facebook after receiving the same email.
The Green Hornet was a long running show on Channel 4 where it shared a spot with the original Batman series starring Adam West.
It also helped launch the career of the legendary Bruce Lee - who took on the role of Kato, the Hornet's driver and bodyguard Kato during 1966-67.
Bruce Lee in The Green Hornet(Image: REX )
The "No. 1 Black Beauty," the sedan used in the 1966 television series, "The Green Hornet," shown in a scene from the series(Image: Reuters)
It was also remade into a big budget Hollywood film starring Seth Rogen and Jay Chou which had mixed reviews at the box office.
Williams was discovered while working as a driving instructor in Hawaii in 1957 by producer Mike Todd who asked him to move to Hollywood.
READ MORE: Bruce Lee and his most astonishing fight scenes remembered, 40 years on since movie legend's deathHe had a few bit-part roles in American TV series before landing the lead role as Britt Reid - aka the Green Hornet - joined by Lee as Kato.
Williams career led him to roles on other classic television shows, including The Beverly Hillbillies, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and Westwind.
Van Williams as the Green Hornet and Bruce Lee as Kato from the television program The Green Hornet(Image: ABC Television)
Van Williams became a fire fighter after the show(Image: )
After his acting career seemed to have run its course, Williams became a reserve deputy sheriff and firefighter in the Los Angeles area.
Williams was in poor health before his death. He had singed his lungs as a firefighter and had suffered from bronchial problems and back pain ever since.