Cindy or Cynthia Jane Williams was an American Actress who was known for TV serial roles. She was 75 when she died in Los Angeles, CA, in 2023. Popularly known for her role as Shirley Feeney in Happy Days and Laverne and Shirley, she was also a producer besides being an actress.
Cindy Williams And Her Early Days
Cindy Williams was born Cynthia Jane Williams on 22nd August 1947 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. When Williams was one year old, her family moved to Dallas and returned to Los Angeles when she turned ten. Cindy also had a sister named Carol Ann.
Cindy had a close attachment to the theater and acting from her childhood days. When she was young, she wrote and acted for a church. Her childhood love changed into passion, and she started acting in productions at Birmingham high school, where she graduated in 1965. Later she completed a major degree in theater from Los Angeles City College.
Before starting her movie career, she worked at the Whisky a Go Go nightclub and a pancake house in Hollywood.
Cindy Williams And Her Career
Williams started her career right after finishing college. Her career began with national commercials that included TNA and Foster Grant sunglasses. After her successful beginning in the commercials, she got her first television role in Room 222, Love, Nanny and the Professor, and American Style.
Williams started her TV career in 1969 and continued till 2016, working in more than 56 shows and series. In some, she acted for the entire series; in others, she appeared for one or more episodes.
Once, Cindy accompanied a friend who needed a scene partner and was selected for the auditions. She was accepted at the actors’ studio, west, but could not commit because of her tight commercial schedule.
Williams has done everything from commercials to TV series to films. In the early 1970s, she started her film career along with television. She got a significant role in Travels with My Aunt in 1972 as Laurie Henderson. For 1973’s American Graffiti, Cindy won a BAFTA nomination for best supporting actress.
Not many know that Williams even auditioned for the role of Princess Leia in Star Wars, which Carrie Fisher later played. Williams also associated with Penny Marshall and worked as a comedy writer for Zoetrope for a TV spoof – Bicentennial. She reunited with her friend Penny Marshall for an episode for the TV series Sam and Cat in 2013.
Cindy has worked in many TV series and films throughout her career. Her movie career began with Gas-s-s-s in 1970, and her last movie was in 2020 – Canaan Land, where she played a talk show host. She had always been active and worked till her final days.
Williams even worked with her husband, Bill Hudson, in the 1986 ABC TV film – Help Wanted: Kids. Besides TV and movies, she even performed on stage on national tours. She was a part of Grease, Deathtrap, and Moon over Buffalo. In 2004, Cindy Williams was awarded her own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal Life Of Cindy Williams
In 1982, Cindy Williams married Bill Hudson, a trio from the Hudson Brothers musical band. They were blessed with two children before they decided to end their marriage in 2000 with divorce.
Williams remained a Roman Catholic her entire life before she died on 25th January 2023 in Los Angeles following a brief illness.
Cindy Williams And LawSuit
Williams was the lead character in Laverne and Shirley, which she had to leave following her pregnancy. It is also believed that her husband, Bill Hudson, tried to make changes in the show, where she was asked to marry in the show’s finale season. Her character was made to exit the show by showing that she had moved overseas with her husband and leaving a goodbye note.
Because of her pregnancy and abrupt ending, she was sued for $20 million, which was settled out of court. Williams mentioned how she wanted to continue with the show till the end and wanted to hide her pregnancy. According to her, she was four months pregnant when she started filming the first episode of the season’s finale. During the contract signing, she learned that her schedule was made till the delivery due date, because of which she had to leave the show.
Cindy Williams And Personal Information
Name – Cindy Williams
Full Name – Cynthia Jane Williams
Parents – Francesca Bellini and Beachard Williams
Date of Birth – 22nd August, 1947
Place of Birth – Van Nuys, California, US
Died on – 25th January, 2023
Nickname – Cindy
Height – 5’4” or 1.63m
Sun sign – Leo
Hair – Brown
Eyes – Blue
Awards – Golden Globe nomination as best actress in 1978
Children – Emily and Zachary
Spouse – Bill Hudson
Co-producer – Father of the Bride movie
Sports played – Bowling and Volleyball
Profession – Model, Actor, Producer
Net worth – $10 million
Nationality – American
Cindy Williams And Her Net Worth
Williams was a very successful and talented actor who worked in many commercials, TV shows, and movies. She was the lead role in Laverne and Shirley before she had to leave due to her pregnancy.
She had always lived a very lavish life, and at the time of her death, she had a total net worth of $10 million. She made her potential earnings from her work, and acting was her primary source of income. She had an average salary of $1 million, making her a millionaire.
Cindy William’s Children’s Statement on Her Death
Cindy’s children, Emily and Zak Hudson confirmed the news of her mother’s passing at 75 in Los Angeles, CA. They remembered their mother as very kind and hilarious. The children were deeply saddened by her death and said she was beautiful and generous with a brilliant sense of humor.
As per kids, Williams was loved and liked by all. She was always involved in noble work and was a part of the animal rescue team. Till her final days, she was a brilliant actor who made the world laugh.