Updated Feb 20, 2026
Details
Birthday
(Monday)
Died
Birthplace
Nationality
Sport
Competitive Swimming
Languages
English
Spouses
Leonard Kovner (1940-1944), Ben Gage (1945-1959), Fernando Lamas (1969-1982)
Children
4 children
Parents
Louis Stanton Williams, Bula Williams
Education
Los Angeles City College, Washington Preparatory High School
Zodiac Sign
♌ Leo
Chinese Zodiac
鸡 Rooster
Name Origin
English < Proto-Indo-European (*h₂stḗr)
Popularity
Tier B -- 30,977 Wikipedia views/month
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Dustin Hoffman →
Screen debut
First screen credit at age 20
Frequent co-star
Appeared in 6 films with Van Johnson
Year context
Born in 1921 -- First commercial radio broadcasts in the US; Warren G. Harding was US president
Year 1921 →
Career
Career spanning 32 years (1942-1974)
DROPTHE GOOD_
14
Notable
out of 100
Most people on Earth score 0. Only those with measurable positive impact appear on this scale.
Human Impact
0
Innovation
0
Giving
0
Sustainability
80
Cultural Uplift
58
Public Vote
★
★
★
★
★
Be the first to vote
Filmography (25)
AWARDS (2)
B
International Swimming Hall of Fame
WON
B
star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
WON
Biography
Esther Jane Williams 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, then with Mickey Rooney in an Andy Hardy film, and with 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 performances with synchronised swimming and diving.
Connections (5)
Related People
Frequently Asked Questions
How old was Esther Williams?
Esther Williams was born on and passed away on at the age of 91.
Where was Esther Williams born?
Esther Williams was born in Inglewood.
What movies or shows has Esther Williams been in?
Esther Williams has 25 credits in our database. Notable titles include That's Entertainment! (1974), The Big Show (1961), Raw Wind in Eden (1958), The Unguarded Moment (1956), Jupiter's Darling (1955).
Where can I find more information about Esther Williams?
You can find more about Esther Williams on Wikidata. Their full profile and filmography is available on this page.
