Esther Williams
Birthday: August 8, 1921 in Inglewood, California, USA
Birth Name: Esther Jane Williams
Height: 174 cm
Esther Jane Williams was born on August 8, 1921 in Inglewood, California. Her youth was spent as a teenage swimming champion and she won three United States National championships. She eventually was ...Show More
[on her marriage to Fernando Lamas] A really terrific guy comes along and says, "I wish you'd stay a Show more
[on her marriage to Fernando Lamas] A really terrific guy comes along and says, "I wish you'd stay at 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. Hide
[in 2003] I was just a swimmer who got lucky.
[in 2003] I was just a swimmer who got lucky.
I was called America's mermaid, because it appeared that I could stay underwater indefinitely.
I was called America's mermaid, because it appeared that I could stay underwater indefinitely.
I've been a lucky lady. I've had three exciting careers. Before films I had the experience of compet Show more
I've been a lucky lady. I've had three exciting careers. Before films I had the experience of competitive swimming, with the incredible fun of winning. I had a movie career with all the glamour that goes with it. That was ego-fulfilling, but it was like the meringue on the pie. My marriage with [Fernando Lamas--that was the filling, that was the apple in the pie. Hide
MGM made money off me, but they never understood the art form. Not until the fifth picture did I eve Show more
MGM made money off me, but they never understood the art form. Not until the fifth picture did I even get a choreographer. Hide
[as a young player to MGM boss Louis B. Mayer, who had scolded her] Mr. Mayer, please don't yell at Show more
[as a young player to MGM boss Louis B. Mayer, who had scolded her] Mr. Mayer, please don't yell at me. You can make movies, but you can't get to the end of the pool first. So you can't yell at me 'til you can. Hide
The popular "Andy Hardy" series movies were MGM's tests for its promising stars such as Judy Garland Show more
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. Hide
When I first started swimming, not many girls participated in the sport. They either didn't want to Show more
When I first started swimming, not many girls participated in the sport. They either didn't want to get their hair wet or wanted to go out on Friday nights instead of going to a meet. But as a result of the popularity of the water ballet, pretty girls began to swim. Hide
I don't know to this day how I managed to fit into those bathing suits when I was pregnant, but I di Show more
I don't know to this day how I managed to fit into those bathing suits when I was pregnant, but I did. Hide
All they ever did for me at MGM was change my leading man and the water in my pool.
All they ever did for me at MGM was change my leading man and the water in my pool.
[International Swimming Hall of Fame] If swimming would make his daughter grow up to look like Esthe Show more
[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. Hide
No one had ever done a swimming movie before so we just made it up as we went along. I ad-libbed all Show more
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. Hide
[about director Busby Berkeley, who set up a dangerous shot for her while filming Désir d'amo Show more
[about director Busby Berkeley, who set up a dangerous shot for her while filming Désir d'amour (1953) at Cypress Gardens, FL] My life was of no importance to him at all. The shot was the thing. Hide
Esther Williams's FILMOGRAPHY
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as Actor (25)
