Frances E. Williams

Known for ActingBorn 1905-09-17Died 1995-01-02East 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).Read more

Movies & web series

The Ambush Murders

Sister, Sister

Midnight Ramble

21 Jump Street

A Dream for Christmas

Queen for a Day

A Woman Called Moses

The Jerk

Her Sister's Secret

Designing Women

The Reckless Moment

The Black Klansman

Frank's Place

Three Secrets

The Family Secret

Magnificent Doll

A Piece of the Action

Week-End with Father

The Glove

Together Brothers

Lying Lips

Rented Lips

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

Father of Hell Town