Cindy Williams, star of Laverne & Shirley, passes away at 75
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It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the loss of the beloved American actress Cindy Williams, who passed away at the age of 75. The news of her passing came on January 25th, following a brief battle with illness.
Her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, shared a statement, expressing their deep grief at the loss of their beloved mother. 'The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,' they said.
'Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humour and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.'
Born in 1947, Williams debuted in the 1973 classic film American Graffiti, directed by then-up-and-coming filmmaker George Lucas. She also starred in Francis Ford Coppola's award-winning 1974 thriller The Conversation.
However, it was not until 1976 that Williams started to become a household name. That's when she landed the role of Shirley Feeney opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne DeFazio in the widely popular sitcom Laverne & Shirley, which was a spinoff of the '70s hit Happy Days.
Credit: Lennie72.
Set in Milwaukee in the 1950s and 1960s, Laverne & Shirley revolved around the two title characters, two working-class women struggling to make ends meet in the big city and clinging to the hope that someday their dreams would come true.
Williams and Marshall became instant icons in their roles, so much so that their saucy chant of 'schlemiel, schlimazel' while they skipped together became part of show business history.
In fact, the show was such a hit that it ran for 8 seasons, from 1976 to 1983. During that time, it earned several Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations, as well as a Peabody Award for its generally wholesome and family-friendly humour.
While working on Laverne & Shirley, Williams also branched out in the theatre world, appearing in Broadway plays including Grease, Deathtrap, and Steel Magnolias. She also auditioned to play Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, though the part ultimately went to Carrie Fisher.
At the height of its popularity, Laverne & Shirley was a cultural phenomenon, ruling the television ratings as the number one show on the air.
Cindy Williams' portrayal of Shirley Feeney was met with critical acclaim and made her a household name. However, her time on the show was cut short after she became pregnant with her first child in the second episode of the eighth (and final) season.
Despite the objections from the producers, who felt that Williams' pregnancy did not align with her character's storyline, the actress bravely made the decision to prioritise her family.
Unfortunately, the pregnancy also added fuel to the already simmering tensions between Williams and her co-star, Penny Marshall.
Yet, despite the challenges, Williams' unwavering commitment to her family left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Years later, the two women were able to reconcile and reflect on the memories they had shared on the set of Laverne & Shirley, cementing Williams' legacy as a trailblazer who paved the way for women in the entertainment industry to balance their careers and personal lives.
Credit: Studio 10.
After her stint on Laverne & Shirley came to an end, Williams continued to act fairly frequently, appearing in shows like Lois & Clark: The Adventures of Superman, Touched By an Angel, 7th Heaven, CHiPs, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, among others.
Williams was married to Bill Hudson of the Hudson Brothers from 1982 to 2000, and she is survived by their two children, Zachary and Emily.
Cindy Williams was a shining star, a remarkable individual whose charisma, passion, and kindness left a warm glow in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her unwavering spirit and infectious energy inspired countless individuals in the entertainment industry and beyond.
Our hearts go out to her loved ones, who are grieving this tremendous loss.
She will be deeply missed and always remembered for the joy and laughter she brought into the lives of many. May her soul rest in peace, surrounded by the love and memories she has left behind.
Actress Cindy Williams passed away peacefully on January 25th in Los Angeles, at the age of 75. Credit: Shutterstock.
Her children, Zak and Emily Hudson, shared a statement, expressing their deep grief at the loss of their beloved mother. 'The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,' they said.
'Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous and possessed a brilliant sense of humour and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.'
Born in 1947, Williams debuted in the 1973 classic film American Graffiti, directed by then-up-and-coming filmmaker George Lucas. She also starred in Francis Ford Coppola's award-winning 1974 thriller The Conversation.
However, it was not until 1976 that Williams started to become a household name. That's when she landed the role of Shirley Feeney opposite Penny Marshall's Laverne DeFazio in the widely popular sitcom Laverne & Shirley, which was a spinoff of the '70s hit Happy Days.
Credit: Lennie72.
Set in Milwaukee in the 1950s and 1960s, Laverne & Shirley revolved around the two title characters, two working-class women struggling to make ends meet in the big city and clinging to the hope that someday their dreams would come true.
Williams and Marshall became instant icons in their roles, so much so that their saucy chant of 'schlemiel, schlimazel' while they skipped together became part of show business history.
In fact, the show was such a hit that it ran for 8 seasons, from 1976 to 1983. During that time, it earned several Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations, as well as a Peabody Award for its generally wholesome and family-friendly humour.
While working on Laverne & Shirley, Williams also branched out in the theatre world, appearing in Broadway plays including Grease, Deathtrap, and Steel Magnolias. She also auditioned to play Princess Leia in the original Star Wars trilogy, though the part ultimately went to Carrie Fisher.
The sitcom was a spin-off of another popular show in the 70s, Happy Days, with creator Garry Marshall giving an opportunity to explore the blue-collar lives of two girlfriends. Credit: Shutterstock.
At the height of its popularity, Laverne & Shirley was a cultural phenomenon, ruling the television ratings as the number one show on the air.
Cindy Williams' portrayal of Shirley Feeney was met with critical acclaim and made her a household name. However, her time on the show was cut short after she became pregnant with her first child in the second episode of the eighth (and final) season.
Despite the objections from the producers, who felt that Williams' pregnancy did not align with her character's storyline, the actress bravely made the decision to prioritise her family.
Unfortunately, the pregnancy also added fuel to the already simmering tensions between Williams and her co-star, Penny Marshall.
Yet, despite the challenges, Williams' unwavering commitment to her family left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry.
Years later, the two women were able to reconcile and reflect on the memories they had shared on the set of Laverne & Shirley, cementing Williams' legacy as a trailblazer who paved the way for women in the entertainment industry to balance their careers and personal lives.
Credit: Studio 10.
After her stint on Laverne & Shirley came to an end, Williams continued to act fairly frequently, appearing in shows like Lois & Clark: The Adventures of Superman, Touched By an Angel, 7th Heaven, CHiPs, and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, among others.
Williams was married to Bill Hudson of the Hudson Brothers from 1982 to 2000, and she is survived by their two children, Zachary and Emily.
Our hearts go out to her loved ones, who are grieving this tremendous loss.
She will be deeply missed and always remembered for the joy and laughter she brought into the lives of many. May her soul rest in peace, surrounded by the love and memories she has left behind.
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