By Sandi Berg

“Gimme a head with hair, long beautiful hair…” Those lyrics were belted out by actor Treat Williams in the film adaptation of the iconic rock musical “Hair” in 1979. Some 33 years later, as the actor looks towards his 60th birthday, his hair is shorter, but there is still plenty of it.

An accomplished actor who has worked on stage, the big screen and television, Williams has been a licensed pilot for over 30 years and just recently added the title of author to his accomplishments. He recently took time from his busy schedule to speak to “Life after 50” from the Toronto set of his new Lifetime Network television series, “Against the Wall.” Williams spoke candidly about numerous subjects ranging from acting to aging.

Raised in Connecticut, Williams was first bitten by the acting bug when he was in the seventh grade. After honing his thespian skills at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, he did what many aspiring artists do – headed for New York. Once in the Big Apple, he didn’t struggle long, going from being an understudy in the Broadway production of “Grease” to taking over the lead role of Danny Zuko for three years. His cinematic breakthrough would soon follow in a role every actor in musical theater at that time coveted – social activist George Berger in the film version of “Hair.”

While Williams’ career came about fairly easily, winning the role of Berger was almost as exhausting as his performance. He had to audition twelve times over a three-month period – something he recalls as the longest and most arduous audition of his four-decade career. Williams spoke fondly of working on “Hair.” “I never thought I’d be getting up in the morning, throwing on a pair of jeans and a vest, and going out and working for ten hours in Central Park,” he laughed. “I look back on it as one of the highlights of my career.”

Following “Hair,” Williams won a role in the ensemble cast of what he jokingly calls “Spielberg’s only flop” – the war comedy “1941” in which hysterical Californians prepare for a Japanese invasion in the days following the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Williams’ biggest break came when esteemed film director Sidney Lumet cast him in his 1981 film, “Prince of the City,” the true story of an NYPD narcotics detective who risked everything to expose police corruption within the department. Although the film received mixed reviews, Williams was nominated for a Golden Globe and the film won Best Picture at the Venice Film Festival.

Today, with over 100 screen and television credits to his name, Williams has chalked up a career in which he has worked with both the revered old guard of Hollywood as well as the new up-and-comers including Milos Forman, Woody Allen, Alan Pakula, Sergio Leone and Gary Fleder. And, while he is very excited about his new series, Williams has acquired some unique skills that, if he ever chose, could open up new careers for him. He has begun teaching an acting class in a master’s program in Utah and has also recently co-authored a children’s book entitled “Air Show!” – a labor of love stemming from his passion and knowledge of aviation. The book is meant to teach children about the many models of helicopters and aircraft from World War II to Boeing’s 787. Extremely proud of how the book turned out, Williams hopes to write at least two more. He will also soon be certified to teach flying. “It's part of what life after 50 is for me,” said Williams.

It is that part of his life that prompted our first question.

Life After 50 (LA50): You now have over 30 years' experience as a pilot. What first got you interested in flying?

Treat Williams: (TW): I started flying when I was 17 and in high school. My football coach lost my class ring, or said he lost it. When I asked him to hold it during a game one day, he actually cut it in half to see what it was made of. So I said, ‘Gosh, coach, that ring cost me $35,’ and he said, ‘Well I don’t have $35, but I’ll give you two free flying lessons instead.’ So, that spring, in 1969, was the beginning of my love affair with airplanes and helicopters that has gone on now for over 33 years. Right now, I’m working on my helicopter instructor's rating so I can teach.

LA50: What led you from New York to Utah?

TW: I had never lived anywhere but New York City and at a little farmhouse we had in Vermont. We were raising our children in New York and in 2002, when I was cast in the television series “Everwood,” I went out to Park City, Utah and Salt Lake City to shoot the show. Commuting back and forth was difficult on the family, but we got through it. When the show got picked up for our second season, we rented out our New York apartment and after four seasons of the show, my children had made very good friends in Utah. We had had city life for over 30 years – my wife and me – and as my friend Chris Walken used to say to me, ‘Treat, you’re really an outdoorsy kind of a guy,’ which I am. So we sold our apartment and bought a house, and we’ve been there for 10 years now. It was one of those things that just happened organically.

LA50: Speaking of family, you’ve been married for a long time. Any tips on making it work?

TW: Well, we’ve never lived in Hollywood. Not that I don’t love it. Also, I think the reason I’ve stayed married is because I’m really, really difficult to live with (laughs). No one else would put up with me but Pam. In a few weeks, we’ll be celebrating our 23rd anniversary, and we’re still best friends. I also had great role models – my parents were married for over 56 years. No one’s going to say it’s easy. Also, it may have something to do with that I have not been as career-driven as some actors I know. I know some people who their whole life is about their next role. I’ve always had this wonderful kind of outlet of athletics and flying. It’s all going very well, knock on wood. The kids are great and I love my life.

LA50: You were voted one of the top television dads for your series “Everwood.” How would you rate yourself as a dad?

TW: (laughs) I’m low on knowledge on how to do it and pretty high on how much I love them. Every day, I try in some way to let them know that I love them. That’s the most important thing. They’ve turned out great. Also, we’re strict in certain regards – about telling the truth, about respect for other people, about living up to promises you’ve made. We give them pretty much free reign as long as they’re truthful with us and that seems to have worked out very well.

LA50: You mentioned you’ll be empty nesters in a few years with one son in college and a daughter in middle school. What’s your attitude about the way age is creeping up?

TW: Well, I don’t want it to. My dad is 88. He lives in Connecticut and he has been through hell over the last two years. He’s had two cancer operations and he’s been on all kinds of drugs for his heart. Basically his body is breaking down on him and he says to me: ‘Treat, I’m like an old car – you can’t get parts anymore.’ He has a great attitude about it, so it’s interesting watching what my dad’s going through and I look at myself and say: ‘I don’t want to be there, because we’re all going to get old, but what can I do to make the process occur that I don’t get in the way?’

LA50: Put the physical part aside. How are you approaching aging on an emotional level?

TW: Emotionally? I’ve been sort of thinking about that lately. What I can do with my life that has a more positive effect rather than just getting work. You kind of re-evaluate what it is you want in your life and you want to give something back. I would like to find a way to enjoy these next 20 or 30 years – hopefully, knock on wood. I don’t think five years ago I would have ever considered writing a children’s book or teach guys my age to fly helicopters. I have a whole lot of interests outside of acting. You begin to think there’s something in this world that you need to discover and I haven’t figured out what it is yet. But I am thinking about it. That’s kind of what’s going on for me.

LA50: What about aging as an actor?

TW: Oh, I’m very excited about that because I’ve seen from my own experience that when it comes to acting, you hit different plateaus. I feel like I’m just now coming into a period where really exciting parts are starting to come my way. For instance, I had a lovely time with Kathy Bates playing the parents of Kate Hudson in a film last year called “A Little Bit of Heaven.” This spring, I was lucky enough to co-star with Sissy Spacek, Kris Kristofferson, and Eric Bana in a film called “Blackbird.” I got to play the meanest, nastiest sheriff. It was just delicious. I think what happens is that you grow into these parts as you get older – particularly now as I’m heading into my 60s. You get to play people who really are interesting, very experienced complex people. And often they’re better parts. I’m setting the bar high for myself. I’d like the kinds of roles Melvyn Douglas did when he was older like “Hud” or “Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House” or “Being There.” Those are the kinds of things you get excited about. They are these rich, dense parts – patriarchs. So I’m looking forward to that. I feel like that my new series is a kind of wonderful foundation for me right now.

LA50: Let’s talk about the new series. What attracted you to the part?

TW: The character of the dad is very complex, interesting, tough – but fair. I found the writing to be so human and it has humor and so much humanity. I also like the fact that it’s an ensemble cast. I don’t think I want to, or could do, a 17-hour day, five days a week show again. It’s good, strong family stuff. This family will be very interesting to follow. Also, when I found out I would be working with Kathy Baker, that clinched it for me. I think she’s one of America’s best actresses.

LA50: Since you’ve been working pretty much nonstop for the last couple of years, is there any sort of exercise regimen you adhere to?

TW: The main thing for me is to try and mix it up. In Park City – and it depends on the season – I do at least five miles on the treadmill a day if it’s bad weather. I also do weights three times a week at the gym. When the weather is nice, I take the dogs out every day for two or three hours when I have the time. When the ski season starts, forget it. I drop my daughter at school and I’m on the slopes skiing hard for four or five hours a day. In Vermont, it’s the same thing. I stopped jogging, though. I’ve gone from jogging to fast walking. It doesn’t feel great anymore to jog. My son and I have been playing two or three hours of tennis. I can’t stand a day without some exercise. James Cagney used to say: ‘You’ve got to break a sweat every day.’ Basically it’s a combination of skiing, swimming, biking, water skiing, tennis and golf. I don’t think I’ve been in a golf cart the five years I’ve been playing golf. I always walk – never take a cart. I don’t think it’s about having six-pack abs, it’s about a healthy lifestyle.

LA50: Do you follow a particular diet?

TW: I had a heart scare during “Everwood,” so since then I’ve tried to adhere as much to the Mediterrean diet as I possibly can. It’s a high intake of fruits and vegetables, no trans-fats, no butter, nothing but either olive oil or canola. Anything green, of course. Also, as much fish as possible. I also keep the red meat down to special occasions.

LA50: Have you ever given any thought to retiring from acting?

TW: I would like to retire from having to do anything that doesn’t really intrigue or excite me. That to me is retirement. I don’t foresee myself ever quitting if I’m in good enough shape to do it. But I can see myself quitting doing it for monetary gain. I still want to get paid, but I don’t want my work to be driven by finance, but rather by the love of the work. That may not be too far off.

LA50: What is on the horizon for you?

TW: I really want to get back to New York. Once my daughter is old enough, I would love get back to the theater again and start attacking some of the roles that I grew up reading – men my father and grandfather’s age. Judith Ivey and I are looking at a few plays that we may want to do. We’ve been discussing the possibilities of a group of actors – once we’re not saddled with college bills for our kids – who can actually do what we really want to do. I’d love to do a musical again. I had a great ride with “Pirates of Penzance.” I sing all the time and play my guitar almost every day. I’m looking forward to doing Miller or Albee again. I do t

A longtime contributor to “Life After 50,” Sandi Berg holds an MFA in screenwriting from UCLA. The co-author of the 1978 Universal film “Almost Summer,” she has served on the faculty of the USC School of Cinematic Arts since 1988.