Everwood star Treat Williams has been remembered as “smart, talented, funny, charming”, with a “heart of gold”, following his death after a motorcycle accident at the age of 71.

The actor, who first became famous when he appeared as hippie leader George Berger in the 1979 movie version of the hit musical Hair, enjoyed a career spanning 50 years.

He was thrown from his motorbike in Vermont on Monday after being hit by an SUV turning left into a car park, police said.

Stars including Kim Cattrall, John Travolta, Sharon Stone, Mark Hamill, Wendell Pierce and Malcolm McDowell have paid tribute, with Sex And The City actress Cattrall sharing a photo of them together in the 1999 TV movie 36 Hours To Die.

She wrote: “I’m in shock! RIP Dear Treat. My condolences to Pam, Gilles, Ellie and the family. A wonderful actor and friend.”

Travolta wrote on Instagram: “Treat Williams and I got our start in NYC appearing in 2 Broadway shows, ‘Grease’ and ‘Over Here.’

“I’m so sorry Treat. My thoughts are with you and your family. You will be missed. Love, John.”

Stone shared a screenshot of a news headline about his death on her Instagram story, writing: “Sad news rest in peace brother.”

The Wire star Pierce, who starred in the 2016 HBO film Confirmation with Williams, paid tribute, writing: “Treat Williams was a passionate, adventurous, creative man. In a short period of time, he quickly befriended me & his adventurous spirit was infectious.

“We worked on just 1 film together but occasionally connected over the years. Kind and generous with advice and support. RIP.”

Baldwin wrote: “He had it all. Smart. Talented. Funny. Charming. Successful. Handsome. Compassionate. Heart of gold. And that name… Treat Williams.

“He truly and deeply cared about what’s going on here in America and around the world. Climate change, social justice, freedom, truth, tolerance… love.

“Beloved by his family, friends, fans, colleagues… his community. A terrible loss. You will be missed. Rest in power Treat.”

Star Wars actor Hamill tweeted: “Just heard the awful news that the world has lost @Rtreatwilliams.

“Such a wonderful person… such a gifted actor… such a treasured friend. I’m gutted. #RIP_Pal.”

Meanwhile, McDowell wrote: “Treat’s passing is a great lost (sic) to the acting community. Our prayers are with his loved ones. RIP.”

Williams’ agent, Barry McPherson, confirmed the actor’s death in a statement to People magazine.

He said: “I’m just devastated. He was the nicest guy. He was so talented.

“He was an actor’s actor. Filmmakers loved him. He’s been the heart of the Hollywood since the late 1970s.”

Williams was nominated for a Golden Globe for his performance in Hair, and went on to star in Steven Spielberg’s wartime comedy 1941, in 1979. He then appeared alongside Robert De Niro and James Woods in Sergio Leone’s last movie, Once Upon A Time In America, from 1984.

He received a second Golden Globe nomination for his starring role in Sidney Lumet’s Prince Of The City in 1981.

In the 1990s, he starred in two cult favourites – the 1998 monster movie Deep Rising, directed by Stephen Sommers, and as the psychotic “Critical” Bill Dolittle in Gary Fleder’s 1995 gangster flick Things To Do In Denver When You’re Dead.

Danny Boyle’s 2010 survival drama 127 Hours also featured Williams in a role as trapped hiker Aron Ralston’s father.

He appeared in a string of television shows, with more than 100 screen credits to his name.

Williams was perhaps best known in recent years for his starring role from 2002 to 2006 in Everwood as Dr Andrew Brown, a widowed brain surgeon from Manhattan who moves with his two children to the Colorado mountain town of the same name.