Esther Jane Williams was born on August 8, 1921, in Inglewood, California, where she spent her youth as a teenage swimming champion, winning three United States National championships.
As a young woman, she was spotted by a MGM talent scout while working in a Los Angeles department store, leading to her film debut in the "Andy Hardy" picture "Andy Hardy's Double Life" (1942),where she played the role of Sheila Brooks, Mickey Rooney's love interest.
Following this movie, Williams' stardom was not far away, and MGM created a special sub-genre for her, known as "Aqua Musicals". Her first swimming role was in "Bathing Beauty" (1944),a simple movie compared to her later big splashes, such as "Million Dollar Mermaid" (1952),co-starring Victor Mature and Walter Pidgeon.
Throughout her career, Williams was often referred to as "America's Mermaid", due to her incredible swimming abilities, which made it seem like she could stay underwater forever.
After the decline of the once lucrative MGM aqua musical, Williams attempted dramatic roles, such as "The Unguarded Moment" (1956),co-starring George Nader and John Saxon, and "The Big Show" (1961),co-starring Cliff Robertson and Robert Vaughn.
Despite her limited acting skills, Williams was unsuccessful in her dramatic roles, and she eventually retired from the movie industry in the 1960s. However, she returned as a star guest in "That's Entertainment! III" (1994),discussing her appearance in MGM films.
Throughout her life, Williams was recognized for bringing enjoyment, escapism, and entertainment to the big screen, and she also had a highly successful business in swimwear. Occasionally, she would work on television, discussing her contribution to the film industry, which was a treat for her fans.
Esther Williams died at the age of 91 on June 6, 2013, in her home in Los Angeles, California.
