Esther Jane Williams

Born on August 8, 1921 in Inglewood, California Esther Jane Williams was nicknamed America's Mermaid. She spend her teenage years swimming and won three United States National Championships. She was signed by MGM while working in a department store. MGM cast her in Andy Hardy's Double Life in 1942.
Her role in Bathing Beauty in 1944 started her off in aqua musicals. Her big role was in Million Dollar Mermaid in 1952 co-starring Victor Mature and Walter Pidgeon. Williams acted in dramatic roles such as The Unguarded Moment in 1956 and The Big Show in 1961. Her acting career was lukewarm and in 1961 she retired. Williams returned in 1994 as a guest in That's Entertainment III. She is recognized for being highly entertaining and a successful businesswoman in the swimwear industry. She occasionally did television work.
Esther Williams was married to Ben Gage on November 1945 until they divorced in 1959 they had three children. She then married Fernando Lamas in December 1969 until October 1982 at his death. Williams married Edward Bell in 91994 and they stayed married until 2013 or her death at 92.