Blue Bloods star Treat Williams died in 2023 and the cop drama has now paid tribute to him by deciding to write Lenny Ross out of the show.
Frank Reagan’s (played by Tom Selleck) old partner and longtime friend Lenny Ross (Treat Williams) was first introduced in season seven, eight years ago, and has continued to pop up whenever Frank needs someone to talk to.
But as CBS viewers found out last summer, actor Williams died in a motorcycle accident in Vermont with Selleck at the time, paying tribute to his co-star and real life friend.
He said in a statement: “It has been said that we are all just passing time and occupy our chair very briefly.
“My friend Treat was aptly named and occupied his chair so well. I will miss him but I will not forget him. Well done, my friend.”
During the latest episode which aired on March 1, Fear No Evil, it was shared that Williams’ character Lenny had also died.
In season 13, it came out that Lenny had been diagnosed with cancer and as a result, he had passed away from the disease.
Frank is seen with Lenny’s daughter Carrie (Gus Birney) in Fear No Evil with the two discussing funeral plans for Lenny, with him reassuring her that he was working on the eulogy.
He also says they are going to do an “honour guard” for him with bagpipes which she reminds Frank that he hated, with him replying: “Yeah but he loved the old dogs bursting into tears. That’s what bagpipes do.”
Frank also invites Carrie to the family dinner where he pays tribute to Lenny with all of his loved ones present.
In a heartbreaking speech, he said: “There’s also someone who ate here with us over the years but who won’t be back.
“Lenny Ross was my oldest friend, my closest confidant, my getaway driver.
“And I lost him this week. And it hurts like hell.
“But Lenny would hate it if we got all teary and quiet and sad, so Lenny: We’ll miss ya.
“And save me a seat at your table, and ‘’ll see ya on down the road.’”
The episode ended with a personal title card for Williams, reading: “In memory of our great friend, Treat Williams 1951 – 2023”, along with a picture of the actor posing with Selleck.
Williams died on June 12m 2023 after a 35-year-old man driving a Honda Element crashed into his motorcycle in Dorset, Vermont.
He was airlifted to Albany Medical Center where he was pronounced dead aged 71 with the cause of death said to be “severe trauma and blood loss”.
The man driving the car was reportedly charged with “grossly negligent operation resulting in death”.
Apart from Blue Bloods, Williams was known for the film version of the musical Hair, 127 Hours, 1941, Dead Heat and The Deep End of the Ocean, to name a few.
Blue Bloods season 14 continues every Friday on CBS.