Cindy Williams facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cindy Williams
Williams in a publicity photo for Laverne & Shirley, 1976
Born	Cynthia Jane Williams (1947-08-22)August 22, 1947 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Died	January 25, 2023(2023-01-25) (aged 75) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Education	Birmingham High School
Alma mater	Los Angeles City College
Occupation	Actress producer
Years active	1970–2023
Known for	Laverne & Shirley Happy Days American Graffiti
Spouse(s)	Bill Hudson ​ ​ (m. 1982; div. 2000)​
Children	2

Cynthia Jane Williams (born August 22, 1947 – died January 25, 2023) was an American actress and producer. She was best known for playing Shirley Feeney on the TV shows Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley. She also appeared in popular movies like American Graffiti and The Conversation.

About Cindy Williams

Early Life and Education

Cindy Williams was born in Los Angeles, California, on August 22, 1947. Her family moved to Dallas, Texas, when she was very young. They returned to Los Angeles when she was ten years old. She had one sister named Carol Ann.

Cindy loved acting and writing from a young age. She performed in church plays and later in high school. She graduated from Birmingham High School in 1965. After high school, she studied theater at Los Angeles City College.

Starting Her Acting Career

After college, Cindy Williams began her career in commercials. She appeared in ads for sunglasses and airlines. Soon, she started getting roles on TV shows. Some of her first TV appearances were on Room 222 and Love, American Style.

Cindy also got important movie roles early on. She was in Travels with My Aunt in 1972. She played Laurie Henderson in American Graffiti (1973), which was a very popular film. For this role, she was even nominated for a BAFTA award. She also appeared in The Conversation (1974).

Becoming Shirley Feeney

Cindy Williams met Penny Marshall, who would become her co-star and friend. They were both hired as comedy writers for a TV project. While working there, Penny's brother, Garry Marshall, asked them to appear on his TV show, Happy Days.

In 1975, Cindy was cast as Shirley Feeney on Happy Days. Penny played her best friend, Laverne De Fazio. Their characters were so popular that Garry Marshall created a spin-off show just for them. This new show was called Laverne & Shirley.

Laverne & Shirley became a huge hit. It was one of the most-watched shows on TV. Cindy played Shirley Feeney from 1976 until 1982. She left the show after becoming pregnant with her first child.

Later Work and Stage Performances

After Laverne & Shirley, Cindy Williams continued acting. She starred in the sci-fi comedy movie UFOria in 1985. She also returned to TV series in the 1990s, including Normal Life and Getting By. She made guest appearances on several other shows, like 8 Simple Rules.

Cindy also performed on stage. She toured in musicals like Grease and plays like Deathtrap. In 2007, she made her Broadway debut in the musical The Drowsy Chaperone.

In 2013, Cindy reunited with Penny Marshall on the TV show Sam & Cat. In 2015, she published her memoir, Shirley, I Jest!.

Personal Life

Cindy Williams married Bill Hudson in 1982. Bill was a singer from the musical group Hudson Brothers. They had two children together: a daughter named Emily (born 1982) and a son named Zachary (born 1986). Cindy and Bill divorced in 2000. Cindy was a Roman Catholic.

Death

Cindy Williams passed away on January 25, 2023, in Los Angeles. She was 75 years old and had been ill for a short time.

Selected Filmography

Film Roles

Television Roles

Williams in 2017

See also

In Spanish: Cindy Williams para niños