Biography for
Esther Williams (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

8 August 1921, Los Angeles, California, USA

Birth Name

Ester Jane Williams

Nickname

America's Mermaid

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Mini Biography

Esther Williams' youth was spent as a teenage swimming champion. She eventually was spotted by a MGM talent scout while working in a Los Angeles department store.

She made her film debut with MGM in a 1942 "Andy Hardy" picture called Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942). She became Mickey Rooney's love interest in the movie, and her character was called "Sheila Brooks".

Following this short movie, stardom was not far away. MGM created a special sub-genre for her known as "Aqua Musicals". Her first swimming role was in Bathing Beauty (1944). "Bathing Beauty" was a simple movie compared to her later big splashes such as Million Dollar Mermaid (1952), co-starring Victor Mature and Walter Pidgeon. Esther Williams was often called "America's Mermaid", as it appeared that she could stay underwater forever!

Following the decline of the once lucrative MGM aqua musical, she attempted dramatic roles. The Unguarded Moment (1956), is one example of this new found dramatic confidence. It co-starred George Nader and John Saxon. Also, The Big Show (1961), co-starring Cliff Robertson and Robert Vaughn was another dramatic role. Overall, Esther's acting skills were limited and, as a musical star in the audiences eyes, she was unsuccessful.

She retired from the movie industry in the 1960s, returning as a star guest in That's Entertainment! III (1994) discussing her appearance in MGM films. She certainly is recognized today for bringing enjoyment, escapism and entertainment on the big screen and has also a highly successful business in swimwear. Occasional TV work discussing her contribution to the film industry is a treat for her fans from time to time.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Robert Jervis-Gibbons

Spouse

Edward Bell	(24 October 1994 - present)
Fernando Lamas	(31 December 1969 - 8 October 1982) (his death)
Ben Gage	(25 November 1945 - 20 April 1959) (divorced) 3 children
Leonard Kovner	(27 June 1940 - 1944) (divorced)

Trade Mark

Being an acclaimed swimming champion, her films usually had elaborate dance sequences involving swimming.

Trivia

Excerpts from her 1999 autobiography in major American magazines revealed that her one-time lover, actor Jeff Chandler, was obsessed about dressing in women's clothing. Williams' revelations about Chandler angered many readers.The book also revealed Williams took LSD under a doctor's supervision after Cary Grant recommended it.

Sister of Stanton Williams

In the 1950s she was known as "America's Mermaid."

Filed a lawsuit against MGM for use of some footage in That's Entertainment! (1974).

Her movie career played a major role in the promotion of competitive and synchronized swimming, which she is credited with popularizing.

Co-producing Aquaria, a Las Vegas water spectacle set to open in 2003. [2002]

Measurements: 36-26-36 (as a champion swimmer), 38-27-34 (filming Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)

Children: Benjamin, Kimball and Susan.

Met fourth husband, Edward Bell, at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

She lent her name to a brand of swimming pools that are still sold today, Esther Williams Pools.

Son Benjamin Stanton "Ben" Gage was born August 6, 1949.

Son Kimball Austin Gage was born October 30, 1950.

Daughter Susan Tenney "Susie" Gage was born October 1, 1953.

Before her stint in MGM musicals, she had been training as a competitive swimmer, and probably would've participated in the 1940 and/or 1944 Olympics (she would've been 18 and 22 years old respectively) if World War II hadn't canceled them.

Longtime friend of June Allyson.

Her first job was at age 8 at a local Inglewood, California neighborhood school's swimming pool counting towels.

She and teammate Virginia Hopkins were to take part in the 1940 Olympics, which was canceled due to World War II.

Met first husband Leonard Kovner while a student at the University of Southern California. He was a premed student.

Received her first screen kiss by Mickey Rooney in Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942).

Was inducted into the Swimming Pool Hall of Fame in 1967.

Second husband was singer/actor Ben Gage, a "Big Band" vocalist who dubbed Victor Mature, George Montgomery, Dana Andrews and Cornel Wilde in various musical films. They had three children.

Born in Los Angeles, Esther was the youngest of five children. Her family had come to Los Angeles from Salt Lake City, where her older brother Stanton Williams was "discovered" by actress Marjorie Rambeau and brought to Hollywood for films. Stanton, who was born in Salt Lake City, died suddenly at the age of 16 when he developed intestinal blockage and his colon burst.

Youngest of five children. The others were Stanton, June, Maurine and David.

She was offered roles in both The Poseidon Adventure (1972) and The Towering Inferno (1974) by Irwin Allen. She turned down both.

In Italy, all her films were dubbed by Dhia Cristiani, except Raw Wind in Eden (1958) where the talented Andreina Pagnani lent her voice to Williams.

Grandstepmother of Shayne Lamas.

Stepmother of Lorenzo Lamas.

Her son Kimball died at the age of 57 in May 2008.

Three step-children, from Lamas: Cristina, Alexandra "Alex," and Lorenzo.

Her son, Kim, was injured in a motorcycle accident. Both of his legs were shattered and he had to relearn how to walk.

She has two grandchildren, Austin and Erin, from her son Ben. She has a grandson, Thomas, from her daughter Susie.

Was the national champion in the 100 meter freestyle and was a favorite to make the 1940 Olympic team. Unfortunately, she missed her opportunity due to the outbreak of World War II.

Personal Quotes

I was called America's mermaid, because it appeared that I could stay underwater indefinitely.

All they ever did for me at MGM was change my leading man and the water in my pool.

No one had ever done a swimming movie before so we just made it up as we went along. I ad-libbed all my own underwater movements.

I don't know to this day how I managed to fit into those bathing suits when I was pregnant, but I did.

"The popular "Andy Hardy" series movies were MGM's tests for its promising stars such as Judy Garland, Lana Turner and Donna Reed. If you didn't make it in those pictures, you were never heard from again".

[International Swimming Hall of Fame] "If swimming would make his daughter grow up to look like Esther Williams, then father was willing to pay for the lessons."

"I was just a swimmer who got lucky." (2003)

Salary

Raw Wind in Eden (1958)	$250,000
The Unguarded Moment (1956)	$200,000

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