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Frances E. Williams
Actor
Born September 17, 1905Died January 2, 1995 (89 years)
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).
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).
Frances E. Williams Filmography
| 1994 | There Goes My Baby · as Grandmother |
| 1987 | Rented Lips · as Black Grandma |
| 1987 | Frank's Place (TV Series) · as Miss Marie |
| 1987 | 21 Jump Street (TV Series) · as Old Woman On Bus |
| 1986 | Designing Women (TV Series) |
| 1986 | Amen (TV Series) · as Marie |
| 1985 | Hell Town · as Nora |
| 1982 | Sister, Sister · as Mother Bishop |
| 1982 | The Ambush Murders · as Emily Tyson |
| 1981 | Hill Street Blues (TV Series) · as Grandmother |
| 1980 | Palmerstown, U.S.A. (TV Series) · as Martha |
| 1979 | The Jerk · as Grandma Johnson |
| 1979 | The Glove · as Grandma Hale |
| 1978 | A Woman Called Moses (TV Series) · as Old Woman In Church |
| 1978 | The White Shadow (TV Series) · as Etta |
| 1978 | King (1978) (TV Series) · as Mrs. Cumby |
| 1978 | Uncle Joe Shannon · as Patient's Mother |
| 1977 | A Piece of the Action · as Naomi Chamberlain |
| 1976 | Laverne & Shirley (TV Series) · as Mrs. Bellini |
| 1975 | Switchblade Sisters · as Haiti |
| 1974 | Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes · as Moma Lottie (as Frances Williams) |
| 1974 | Together Brothers · as Mama Wes |
| 1974 | Little House on the Prairie (TV Series) · as Mrs. Jackson |
| 1973 | A Dream for Christmas · as Cassie Thomas |
| 1973 | Police Story (TV Series) · as Mrs. X |
| 1972 | The Waltons (TV Series) · as Granny Ketchum |
| 1966 | The Black Klansman · as Ellie Madison |
| 1963 | General Hospital (TV Series) · as Attendant |
| 1957 | Man of a Thousand Faces · as Louisa, Cleva's Maid |
| 1955 | Hit the Deck · as Mabel |
| 1952 | Lydia Bailey · as Cloryphene |
| 1951 | Week-End with Father · as Cleo |
| 1951 | |
| 1951 | Show Boat · as Queenie |
| 1951 | Queen for a Day · as Anna |
| 1950 | Three Secrets · as Delia (uncredited) |
| 1949 | The Reckless Moment · as Sybil (uncredited) |
| 1946 | Magnificent Doll · as Amy |
| 1946 | Her Sister's Secret · as Mathilda |
| 1939 | Lying Lips · as Elizabeth Green |
| 1988 | American Experience (TV Series) · as Self Actress |