In Memoriam

Dick Williams, known as Pretty Tone in the movie “The Mack”, has died

Dick Williams, best known for his role as Pretty Tone in the blaxploitation film, “The Mack,” has died. He was 73.

Published

14 years ago

February 20, 2012

UVM Staff

Dick Williams, best known for his role as Pretty Tone in the blaxploitation film, “The Mack,” has died. He was 73.

Chicago native

Williams, a Chicago native, was a Tony Award nominated actor who appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Poison Tree, Ain’t Supposed To Die a Natural Death, Black Picture Show and What the Wine-Sellers Buy, winning the prestigious Drama Desk Award in 1974 for that performance.

Dick Williams as Pretty Tone

Though receiving wide acclaim for those roles, Dick Williams role as Pretty Tone made a mark in the hip-hop culture. The film, starring Richard Pryor & Max Julien, explored the life of pimps and hustlers, in Oakland, CA.

Many songs and scenes have been sampled by hip-hop artists such as Tupac, Ludacris, Jadakiss, Outkast, & Ghostface Killa.
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Related Topics:celebrity deaths Chicago deaths Illinois

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UVM Staff

Unheard Voices, an award-winning, family-operated online news magazine, began in 2004 as a community newsletter serving Neptune, Asbury Park, and Long Branch, N.J. Over time, it grew into a nationally recognized Black-owned media outlet. The publication remains one of the few dedicated to covering social justice issues. Its honors include the NAACP Unsung Hero Award and multiple media innovator awards for excellence in social justice reporting and communications.