Van Williams, best known for his role on "The Green Hornet", died in Scottsdale of renal failure. He was 82.
Williams' wife Vicki confirmed the news to Variety.
"He had a wonderful, caring, and kind heart. He was a wonderful husband, he was a fabulous father, and a devoted grandfather," Vicki said.
Williams was a diving instructor in Hawaii when producer Mike Todd found him in 1957 and cast him as private eye Kenny Madison in the 1959 detective series "Bourbon Street Beat".
He played Ken Madison, a character he later recycled for another detective show, "Surfside 6".
Both shows led to Williams landing the leading role in "The Green Hornet" (1966) as Britt Reid, a suave newspaper owner by day and masked vigilante by night.
He was supported by his martial arts master sidekick Kato, played by Bruce Lee, and by his weaponized car, Black Beauty. Williams played the role straight, signaling a departure from the lampoon comedy of Fox's earlier "Batman" series.
Williams also made cameos in "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Beverly Hillbillies". His last credit was for the 1993 biopic "Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story".
Williams is survived by his wife, his three children, Nina, Tia, and Britt and his five grandchildren.
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