Cindy Williams the Laverne & Shirley Actress Died at 75

Cindy Williams , the dynamic actress best known for playing the hilarious Shirley Feeney on the hit comedy Laverne & Shirley, has passed away, according to a statement from her family provided to her by a representative. She was 75 years old.

LAVERNE & SHIRLEY ACTRESS CINDY WILLIAMS DIES AT 75

Williams died after a brief illness, according to a statement from her children Zach and Emily Hudson, provided to CNN by her family spokesperson and Williams’ personal assistant, Liz Krannis.

“The death of our kind and hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has caused us an overwhelming grief that can never be expressed,” she read in a statement. is our It’s a joy and a privilege. She was one of a kind, attractive, and giving, with a wonderful sense of humour and a sparkling attitude that everyone adored.”

PENNY MARSHALL AND CINDY WILLIAMS IN A 1979 EPISODE OF “LAVERNE & SHIRLEY.”

Williams had credits spanning six decades, but it was her role on “Happy Days” spin-off “Laverne & Shirley” that endeared her to millions and made her a household name.

On the series, she starred opposite the late Penny Marshall as one half of a dynamic friend duo whose adventures powered the show, which ran for eight seasons from 1976-1983.

WORK AND ACCLAIM

Born in Van Nuys, California, Williams` interest in acting throughout high school led her to study theater at Los Angeles City College, according to a biography provided by her family. Some of Williams` first professional acting credits include a three-episode arc on the 1969 series “Room 222” and appearances on other shows, like “Nanny and the Professor” and “Love, American Style,” in the early 1970`s. Williams went on to become a prolific working television and film actor, appearing in dozens of titles. But it wasn’t until her debut as Shirley Feeney in 1975’s Happy Days that her career began to take shape.

Her hilarious “Laverne & Shirley” was a hit and earned her six Golden Globe Award nominations. Two of hers include Best Comedy for her Series category and one for Williams for Best Actress in a Comedy.

FILM CAREER

Williams has also acted in some excellent films. Her most notable role was in her 1973 George Lucas film American Graffiti. This is for which Williams was nominate for a BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actress. Her film about her group of friends having a wild night together before going to college was nominations for five Oscars, including Best Picture at the 1974 Oscars. Williams also appeared in George Cukor’s critically acclaimed 1972 film Traveling with Auntie and Francis Ford Coppola’s 1974 Conversation.

Williams was also an accomplishment stage actress with a long credit list. Last year, she embarked on her national tour with her One Woman show Me. Myself and Shirley, sharing stories from her entire career. She had at least a series of dates scheduled for later this year.

Following her obituary, friends and fans of Williams took to her social media to honor the late actress who left her legacy of laughter. “Oh, I loved Cindy Williams,” Yvette Nicole Brown. Who worked with Williams when she appeared on an episode of CBS’s Odd Couple in 2016, shared on Twitter. “She was as beautiful as I always imaginable.”

JASON ALEXANDER TWEET

Actor Jason Alexander tweeted, “I didn’t know Cindy Williams. But I admired her work, especially her crazy, happy, good times during her Laverne and Shirley years. I know she had a good life. Our prayers and condolences to those who knew and loved her.”

The Williams children added in a statement that they were proud of their mother for many reasons. Including “her lifelong mission to save animals, her prolific artistry, and her faith.” But most of all, her ability to make the world a better place brings laughter!” “May the laughter continue in everyone as she wanted it,” the statement said. “Thank you for loving our mom, she loved you too.”

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