About
Esther Jane Williams (August 8, 1921 – June 6, 2013) was an American competitive swimmer and actress. She set regional and national records in her late teens on the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team. Unable to compete in the 1940 Summer Olympics because of the outbreak of World War II, she joined Billy Rose's Aquacade, where she took on the role vacated by Eleanor Holm after the show's move from New York City to San Francisco. While in the city, she spent five months swimming alongside Olympic gold-medal winner and Tarzan star Johnny Weissmuller. Williams caught the attention of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer scouts at the Aquacade. After appearing in several small roles, and alongside Mickey Rooney in an Andy Hardy film and future five-time co-star Van Johnson in A Guy Named Joe, Williams made a series of films in the 1940s and early 1950s known as "aquamusicals", which featured elaborate...
Known for
Dick Powell's Zane Grey TheatreSeries • 1956
The Donna Reed ShowSeries • 1958
Lux Video TheatreSeries • 1950
Bathing BeautyMovie • 1944
That's Entertainment!Movie • 1974
That's Dancing!Movie • 1985
Till the Clouds Roll ByMovie • 1946
A Guy Named JoeMovie • 1944
Neptune's DaughterMovie • 1949
Take Me Out to the Ball GameMovie • 1949
Million Dollar MermaidMovie • 1952
That's Entertainment, Part IIMovie • 1976
Ziegfeld FolliesMovie • 1945
Dangerous When WetMovie • 1953