Roger Williams was an American actor and pianist who is best known for his performances in Somewhere in Time (1980), Untamed Heart (1993), and M. Butterfly (1993).
Personal and Family Life
Roger Williams was born Louis Jacob Weertz on October 1, 1924, in Omaha, Nebraska. He earned the nickname “Pianist to the Presidents” due to his performances for nine U.S. presidents from Truman to Bush. Williams had a remarkable talent for playing over 10,000 melodies by ear and was known for his annual piano marathons, where he would play for up to 14 hours straight.
Death and Legacy
Roger Williams passed away on October 8, 2011, in Los Angeles, California, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. His piano rendition of “Autumn Leaves” is celebrated as the best-selling piano instrumental of all time. He was also the first pianist to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to his influential career in music and entertainment.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| The New March of Dimes Presents: The Scene Stealers | 1962-01-06 | Self |
| Swingin’ Along | 1961-04-16 | Himself |
| Soul Food | 2000-06-28 | Band Member |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self |
| The Steve Allen Show | 1956-06-24 | Self – Pianist |
| The Oscars | 1953-03-19 | Self |
| Art Linkletter’s House Party | 1952-09-01 | |
| The Hollywood Palace | 1964-01-04 | Self – Pianist |
| The Perry Como Show | 1956-09-29 | |
| The Steve Allen Playhouse | ||
| Kraft Music Hall | 1958-10-08 | Self |
| The Ed Sullivan Show | 1948-06-20 | Self – Pianist |