Esther Williams was an American actress best known for her roles in films like “Bathing Beauty,” “Million Dollar Mermaid,” and “Dangerous When Wet.” She became famous for her exceptional swimming skills, which she showcased in numerous musical films during the 1940s and 1950s.
Personal and Family Life
Esther Jane Williams was born on August 8, 1921, in Inglewood, California. She was a talented swimmer during her youth, winning three national championships. Williams was married four times and had three children: Benjamin, Kimball, and Susan. Her marriages included well-known figures like actor Fernando Lamas and swimwear designer Edward Michael Bell.
Career
Williams began her acting career after being discovered by a talent scout while working at a department store. She starred in a series of “Aqua Musicals” created specifically for her by MGM, becoming a classic Hollywood icon. She also tried her hand at dramatic roles in films like “The Unguarded Moment” and “The Big Show,” but she was best remembered for her musical performances. Though she briefly retired in the 1960s, she made appearances in later documentary films.
Death and Legacy
Esther Williams passed away at the age of 91 on June 6, 2013, from natural causes in Beverly Hills, California. She is remembered as “America’s Mermaid” and for her contributions to film and entertainment, particularly in popularizing swim-themed musicals. Her legacy continues through her classic films and her impact on swimwear fashion.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Take Me Out to the Ball Game | 1949-03-09 | K.C. Higgins |
| Million Dollar Mermaid | 1952-12-04 | Annette Kellerman |
| Dangerous When Wet | 1953-06-18 | Katie Higgins |
| Andy Hardy’s Double Life | 1942-12-01 | Sheila Brooks |
| A Guy Named Joe | 1943-12-24 | Ellen Bright |
| Easy to Love | 1953-11-26 | Julie Hallerton |
| Texas Carnival | 1951-10-05 | Debbie Telford |
| Neptune’s Daughter | 1949-06-10 | Eve Barrett |
| On an Island with You | 1948-05-03 | Rosalind Rennolds |
| Thrill of a Romance | 1945-05-23 | Cynthia Glenn |
| Bathing Beauty | 1944-06-27 | Caroline Marie Brooks |
| Fiesta | 1947-06-12 | Maria Morales |
| Easy to Wed | 1946-07-25 | Connie Allenbury |
| This Time for Keeps | 1947-10-17 | Nora Cambaretti |
| Pagan Love Song | 1950-12-26 | Mimi Bennett |
| The Hoodlum Saint | 1946-04-04 | Kay Lorrison |
| The Unguarded Moment | 1956-12-27 | Lois Conway |
| That’s Entertainment! III | 1994-07-01 | Self – Co-Host / Narrator |
| Duchess of Idaho | 1950-07-14 | Christine Riverton Duncan |
| Jupiter’s Darling | 1955-02-18 | Amytis |
| Raw Wind in Eden | 1958-09-19 | Laura |
| Skirts Ahoy! | 1952-05-28 | Whitney Young |
| That’s Dancing! | 1985-01-18 | From ‘Bathing Beauty’ (archive footage) |