Frances Williams, born Frances Jellinek of St. Paul, Minnesota, embarked on her performing career at the tender age of 14. She left her family's home at 16 to join an acrobatic troupe, which marked the beginning of her lifelong journey in the entertainment industry.
Her breakthrough role came in George M. Cohan's musical "Mary", showcasing her impressive vocal talents. She would go on to star in numerous productions, including "Artists and Models", "The Cocoanuts" alongside the Marx Brothers, and several editions of George White's Scandals.
One of her most notable performances was in the 1932 musical "Everybody's Welcome", which introduced the iconic standard "As Time Goes By". The song, which has since become a timeless classic, was introduced by none other than Frances Williams herself.
Throughout her illustrious career, Frances made several film appearances, recording sessions, and vaudeville performances. She headlined at the famous Palace Theater not once, but twice - in the early 1930s and again in 1950. Her impressive vocals were showcased in only five recording sessions between 1931 and 1937.
Frances continued to make television appearances throughout the 1950s before her health began to decline due to cancer. She spent her final years living with her mother at the Shoreham Hotel before passing away at Lenox Hill Hospital on January 27, 1959. Frances Williams was survived by her mother, Maude Williams, and brother, William Jellinek.
