Esther Williams, Star Of Technicolor Musicals, Dead At 91

Esther Williams, the star of various Technicolor musicals in the 1940s and 1950s, has passed away at the age of 91.

According to Williams’ longtime publicist, Harlan Boll, she passed away in her sleep.

During her time at the top of the Hollywood A-List Williams was one of the top paid moneymakers. Directors often placed Esther Williams in spectacular swimsuit numbers, which showcases her beauty and figure.

Among the actresses films were Easy to Wed, Neptune’s Daughter, and Dangerous When Wet. The actress’ movies all followed the same formula with romance, a bit of music, some comedy, and almost no plot lines to speak of.

Esther Williams worked with some of the biggest co-stars in entertainment including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban, and Howard Keel.

Williams attempted to keep her Hollywood career alive after the end of big studio musicals in the 1950s, but ultimately her attempt to land non-swimming roles didn’t work in her favor.

In 1962, Esther Williams married Dangerous When Wet co-star Fernando Lamas. Shortly after her marriage, Williams announced that she was retiring from film work.

During a 1984 interview, Esther Williams said of her decision to retire:

“A really terrific guy comes along and says, ‘I wish you’d stay home and be my wife,’ and that’s the most logical thing in the world for a Latin. And I loved being a Latin wife — you get treated very well. There’s a lot of attention in return for that sacrifice.”

Before Williams joined the Hollywood elite, she had won the 100-meter freestyle and other races at the 1939 national championships.

Williams received her Hollywood start in 1942 when she appeared in Mickey Rooney’s film Andy Hardy’s Double Life.

You can read more about Esther Williams in her 1999 memoir The Million Dollar Mermaid.

Our condolences go out to the Esther Williams family.