Where Did Treat Williams Go To College?
Treat Williams, the well-known actor of films, television, and stage, attended prestigious colleges as he pursued his acting education and launched his enduring career in entertainment.
Early Life and Education
Treat Williams was born Richard Treat Williams on December 1, 1951 in Rowayton, Connecticut. As a child, Williams already demonstrated a talent and interest in acting, playing the role of Barnaby in a local production of the musical “Hello Dolly!” in the third grade.
Williams attended the Kent School, a private college preparatory school in Kent, Connecticut. Active in athletic and arts pursuits, he played football, wrestled, and was involved in theater during his time at Kent. After graduating from the Kent School in 1970, Williams enrolled at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.
Time at Franklin and Marshall College
Treat Williams spent two years studying at Franklin and Marshall College from 1970-1972. Franklin and Marshall is a highly selective private liberal arts college.
During his time there, Williams became active in college theater productions and musical groups even as he continued to play sports. He was a member of the soccer and lacrosse teams. He also sang with the college glee club and performed with the Franklin and Marshall Players, the student theater group.
According to Williams in later interviews, it was during his time performing in theatrical productions at Franklin and Marshall that cemented his passion to pursue acting as a career.
Transferring to Pursue Acting
After two years at Franklin and Marshall, in 1972 Williams made the decision to leave in order to more fully study and pursue acting.
He transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, or AADA, is one of the oldest acting schools in the English speaking world.
The school’s reputable training program afforded Williams the opportunity to dedicate himself completely to dramatic arts study with esteemed faculty. It was during his time here that Williams developed the foundational skills that paved the way for his success on stage and screens in the ensuing years.
Stage and Screen Career
Treat Williams went on from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts to perform on Broadway and act in over 75 film and television productions during his long career, including starring roles in well-known films like Hair, Prince of the City, Once Upon a Time in America, and Mulholland Falls.
He continues to act today, demonstrating the talent, versatility, and longevity of his acting career. The education and experiences he gained at Kent School, Franklin and Marshall College, and AADA helped prepare him for the thriving career he built over decades in entertainment.
Table 1: Treat Williams Education Summary
| School | Years Attended | Area of Study |
|---|---|---|
| Kent School | 1964 – 1970 | College preparatory high school |
| Franklin and Marshall College | 1970 – 1972 | Liberal arts, soccer, lacrosse, glee club, theater |
| American Academy of Dramatic Arts | 1972 – 1974 | Dramatic arts education |
Some highlights of his prolific career include:
- Starred on Broadway in Grease in 1978 playing Danny Zuko
- Breakthrough film role in Hair in 1979
- Golden Globe nomination for Prince of the City in 1981
- Starred in blockbuster Once Upon a Time in America in 1984
- Lead role in hit TV movie The Lost Battalion in 2001
- Over 75 roles in films and television since the 1970s
- Continues acting today with recent roles in 2021 and 2022
Williams has demonstrated exceptional longevity and versality across mediums like film, television, and theater. He is known for outstanding performances in both comedies and dramas thanks to his acting skills honed at institutions like the American Academy of Dramatic Arts early in his career.
Table 2: Treat Williams Career Highlights
| Year | Production | Role | Medium |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Grease | Danny Zuko | Broadway |
| 1979 | Hair | George Berger | Film |
| 1981 | Prince of the City | Daniel Ciello | Film |
| 1984 | Once Upon a Time in America | Jimmy O’Donnell | Film |
| 2001 | The Lost Battalion | Maj. Charles White Whittlesey | Television Movie |
| 2021 | Palm Springs | Steve Garvy | Television Comedy |
Looking Back on His Education and Path
In interviews over the years, Treat Williams has reflected positively on his educational background that led him to his prolific acting career.
Though he did not complete a college degree, he has emphasized the pivotal experiences he had participating in theater at Franklin and Marshall. He has also stressed the vital dramatic arts training he gained at institutions like the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Williams has stated he feels his education gave him important performance experience on stage during his college years. That, paired with dedicated acting study later, is what enabled him to build the varied and flexible skills needed for critically-acclaimed roles across diverse genres from film to theater and beyond.
Conclusion
In summary, prolific actor Treat Williams attended elite preparatory school at the Kent School followed by two years studying liberal arts and performing in theater productions at Franklin and Marshall College. Deciding to pursue acting full-time, he left Franklin and Marshall after two years.
He completed professional dramatic arts education at the renowned American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City from 1972-1974.
The combination of great education and formative acting experiences prepared him for his launch into a remarkably successful 50+ year acting career across stage, screens, and media earning award recognition. Williams continues entertaining audiences today over five decades later demonstrating his versatility and longevity thanks in part to his unique educational journey mixing liberal arts study with intensive acting training.
Frequently Asked Questions About Treat Williams’ Education
Here are answers to some of the top frequently asked questions about what college Treat Williams attended and his education path.
Where did Treat Williams grow up?
Treat Williams grew up in Rowayton, Connecticut. He was born on December 1, 1951 in Rowayton.
What high school did Treat Williams go to?
Treat Williams attended the Kent School in Kent, Connecticut for high school from 1964-1970.
What college did Treat Williams attend first?
The first college Treat Williams attended was Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania from 1970-1972.
Why did Treat Williams transfer from Franklin and Marshall College?
Treat Williams transferred from Franklin and Marshall in order to pursue professional acting training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City.
How long was Treat Williams at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts?
Treat Williams studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts for two years from 1972-1974.
Where did Treat Williams train as an actor?
Treat Williams trained as a professional actor at both Franklin and Marshall College where he performed in theatrical productions, as well as at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York where he completed their full acting program.
What Has Treat Williams Done Since College?
Since embarking on his professional acting education and training in the early 1970s after leaving Franklin and Marshall College, Treat Williams has gone on to build an acclaimed acting career over the past 50 years.
