The Flash Actor Logan Williams Dies At 16

Logan Williams, the actor best known for playing young Barry Allen on the CW superhero series The Flash, died on Thursday, April 2, 2020. He was just 16 years old. 

According to Canadian news outlet Tri-City News, Williams — who grew up in Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada — "died suddenly." No cause of death has been revealed as of this writing. 

Williams' mother, Marlyse, told the publication that their family is "absolutely devastated" by his sudden passing. Their sorrow has only been intensified by current social distancing restrictions making it impossible to grieve together. "I am not able to hug my parents who lost their only grandchild," said Marlyse Williams, adding that the family can only contact one another by phone, over email, or through social media, and so she's enduring these initial stages of grief alone. 

Though Williams stepped into a wider spotlight through his eight-episode stint on The Flash, starring opposite Grant Gustin as the scarlet speedster, the young actor also appeared in the television movie The Color of Rain, portrayed young Eliot on two episodes of The Whispers, and had a one-off role on Supernatural. His longest-running role was as Miles Montgomery on Hallmark Channel's Canadian-American drama series When Calls the Heart.

In 2015, Williams had been nominated for a UBCP/ACTRA Award in the Best Emerging Performer category for his work on The Flash. He'd also won two Joey Awards — one for TV Series Ensemble and another for Young Ensemble Cast in a Dramatic Series — thanks to his performance on When Calls the Heart. 

"With his talent and gorgeous looks, Logan had the potential to be a huge star," Marlyse Williams said.

Williams' on-screen grown-up counterpart, The Flash star Grant Gustin, took to Instagram to honor the actor's memory. In the caption of a photo of himself, Williams, and Captain Joe West actor Jesse L. Martin all smiling widely, Gustin wrote, "I was so impressed by not only Logan's talent, but his professionalism on set. My thoughts and prayers will be with him and his family during what is I'm sure an unimaginably difficult time for them. Please keep Logan and his family in your thoughts and prayers during what has been a strange and trying time for us all. Sending love to everyone."

Fellow Flash actor John Wesley Shipp, who portrayed Dr. Henry Allen on the series, shared several photos and a heartfelt message on Twitter in the wake of Williams' passing. Shipp wrote alongside snaps of Williams on the set of The Flash, "Heartsick to learn of Logan Williams' death at 16. He was 100% committed to playing young Barry Allen, and we missed him once we moved past that part of the story. Love and compassion to Logan's family and friends in your grief."

Williams' When Calls the Heart co-star Mitchell Kummen — who played Gabe Montgomery, the older brother of Williams' character, on the show — also took to social media to remember the young actor. "My friend Logan Williams passed away yesterday. I am beyond sad!" Kummen on Twitter. "Proud to play [your] older brother Dude. We had so much on set [...] Loved hanging out with out you [on] set. You were such a talent. Sending love to your mom."

The lead actress of When Calls the Heart, Elizabeth Thatcher Thornton star Erin Krakow, said that she was "heartbroken" to hear the news of Williams' passing. She added in two follow-up posts on Twitter, "Logan was a beautiful, warm, silly, and talented young man. He could always make us laugh. He was just shy of 17 and had what I'm sure would have been a very bright future ahead of him. I hope you'll join me in sending virtual love & support to Logan's family & friends during this very painful time."

Logan Williams is survived by his mother, Marlyse; his father, Clive; as well as aunts, uncles, and grandparents (via Tri-City News). Our thoughts are with Williams' loved ones during this time of mourning.