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Frances E. Williams

Frances E. Williams

Birthday: 1905-09-17 | Place of Birth: East Orange, New Jersey, USA

Frances Elizabeth Williams (September 17, 1905 – January 2, 1995) was an American actress, activist, theatre producer, organizer, and community worker. Williams was the first black woman to run for the California State Assembly in 1948 on the Progressive Ticket and served on the boards of the Screen Actors Guild, Actors' Lab, and Actors Equity. She represented the World Peace Council at the first Angola Independence Celebration in 1975, and co-founded the Art Against Apartheid Movement in Los Angeles in the 1980s. Williams began her acting career in the late 1930s, joining the cast of the play You Can't Take It with You. The company went on tour across the U.S. for two years. She appeared in two of Oscar Micheaux’s films, Lying Lips, 1939, and The Notorious Elinor Lee, 1940. Her first Hollywood film role was as Amy in Magnificent Doll (1946), followed by The Reckless Moment (1949) and Show Boat (1951). While she appeared on stage, in over forty films, on television shows in minor roles, and in commercials, Williams' biggest role to date came in 1987, when she played Miss Marie in the comedy-drama series Frank's Place starring Tim Reid. Despite being well received by many fans and critics, it was cancelled after one season (1987–1988).

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Known For

Acting

Year
Title

Role

1994
Midnight Ramble

as    Self - Actress

1987
Frank's Place

as    Miss Marie

1982
Sister, Sister

as    Mother Bishop

1979
The Glove

as    Grandma Hale

1974
Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

as    Moma Lottie (as Frances Williams)

1951
Queen for a Day

as    Anna

1951
Week-End with Father

as    Cleo

1946
Magnificent Doll

as    Amy

1939
Lying Lips

as    Elizabeth Green