Samm-Art Williams was a playwright, screenwriter, actor, and producer. As a playwright, Williams wrote HOME, WELCOME TO BLACK RIVER, FRIENDS, and other plays produced in New York, Los Angeles, and other cities. HOME received a Tony nomination as Best Broadway Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award, a Drama Desk nomination, the NAACP Image Award, and the North Carolina Governor’s Award. For the screen, Samm-Art Williams also wrote Solomon Northup’s Odyssey (PBS), John Henry (Showtime), Badges (CBS), and episodes for Cagney and Lacey, The New Mike Hammer, Miami Vice, and other programs. He was nominated for two Emmy Awards. As an actor, he performed in Blood Simple, Huckleberry Finn, and other feature films. His television acting credits include Women of Brewster Place, Race to the Pole, Search for Tomorrow, and other productions. In addition to his writing and acting credits, he served as Executive Producer of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Martin, Good News, and other television productions. He received the Guggenheim Fellowship, The National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship for Playwriting, and other awards for his writing. Mr. Williams passed away in 2024 at the age of 78.