Cindy Williams has enjoyed the privilege of working with extraordinary directors, including Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas and George Cukor. Though Williams has achieved much success in her film career, she is most recognized for her role as Shirley Feeney in the ABC situation comedy “Laverne & Shirley.”
A woman of many talents, Williams’ stage credits include the national tour of Grease playing Miss Lynch, the national tour of Deathtrap with Elliot Gould, Moon Over Buffalo portraying the role of Charlotte Hay and Steel Magnolias as Ouiser Boudreaux. In 2007, she made her
Broadway debut in the role of Mrs. Tottendale in the award-winning musical The Drowsy Chaperone.
Born in Van Nuys, California, Williams’ first became interested in acting during high school. After graduation, she attended L.A. City College where she majored in theater arts. After leaving college, she landed her first television roles on “Room 222,” “Nanny and The Professor,” and “Love American Style.” Recent guest-starring roles include “Law And Order: SVU,” “Girlfriends,” “Seventh Heaven,” “8 Simple Rules” and “Less Than Perfect.” She recently completed filming the independent film “Stealing Roses.”
Williams’ first film role was for Roger Corman in “GAS-S-S-S,” starring Talia Shire, Ben Vereen and Bud Cort. She then appeared with Maggie Smith in “Travels with my Aunt,” directed by George Cukor. Next she co-starred with Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss and Harrison Ford in “American Graffiti” directed by George Lucas, a low-budget film that went on to become a box office smash and film classic, and which garnered her a British Films nomination for best supporting actress. Following “American Graffiti,” Williams played a pivotal role in Francis Ford Coppola’s “The Conversation,” starring Gene Hackman. While raising her family, she co-produced “Father of the Bride” starring Steve Martin, as well as its sequel.
Williams is a child advocate who supports numerous organizations including Children of the Night, Feed the Children and the International Red Cross. She is a strong animal rights supporter and, at one time, was the National Chairperson for the Fund for Animals.
