Edy Williams
Encyclopedia
Edwina Beth "Edy" Williams (born July 9, 1942) is an American television and film actress.
and raised in Oregon
and Southern California
, Williams began her career as a model
and beauty pageant contestant. After winning several local pageants, Williams
was signed as a contract player by 20th Century Fox
.
, Batman
, Adam-12
(Episode: Venice Division), Lost in Space
, The Naked Kiss
, and the Sonny & Cher
film, Good Times
. In 1970, she appeared as Ashley St. Ives in Russ Meyer
's first mainstream film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
, followed by his second mainstream film The Seven Minutes
(1971). Meyer and Williams married in 1970, shortly after the release of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
In March 1973, she was photographed for Playboy
in a full color photo spread by then-husband Russ Meyer.
After her divorce from Meyer in 1977, Williams continued acting, mainly appearing in films, many of which involved nudity.
In 1982, she appeared on an episode of The People's Court
as a defendant in a case titled "The Star Who Wouldn't Pay". Williams was sued for payment for publicity work the plaintiff had done for her. She counter-sued for half of the retainer she'd paid him.
After her appearance on The People's Court, Williams was sporadically active in films during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Since the 1990s, Williams has traditionally appeared at both the Academy Awards
and the Cannes Film Festival
in revealing and flamboyant outfits.
Early years
Born in UtahUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
and raised in Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
and Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
, Williams began her career as a model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
and beauty pageant contestant. After winning several local pageants, Williams
was signed as a contract player by 20th Century Fox
20th Century Fox
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation — also known as 20th Century Fox, or simply 20th or Fox — is one of the six major American film studios...
.
Career
Throughout the 1960s, Williams appeared in several television series and films including roles in The Beverly HillbilliesThe Beverly Hillbillies
The Beverly Hillbillies is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for nine seasons on CBS from 1962 to 1971, starring Buddy Ebsen, Irene Ryan, Donna Douglas, and Max Baer, Jr....
, Batman
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
, Adam-12
Adam-12
Adam-12 was a television police drama which followed two police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles in their patrol unit, 1-Adam-12. Created by Jack Webb who is known for creating Dragnet, the series captured a...
(Episode: Venice Division), Lost in Space
Lost in Space
Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968...
, The Naked Kiss
The Naked Kiss
The Naked Kiss is a 1964 neo-noir film written and directed by Samuel Fuller, starring Constance Towers as Kelly, Anthony Eisley as Captain Griff and Michael Dante as J.L. Grant.-Plot:...
, and the Sonny & Cher
Sonny & Cher
Sonny & Cher were an American pop music duo, actors, singers and entertainers made up of husband-and-wife team Sonny and Cher Bono in the 1960s and 1970s. The couple started their career in the mid-1960s as R&B backing singers for record producer Phil Spector....
film, Good Times
Good Times (film)
Good Times is a 1967 musical comedy film starring Sonny and Cher.-Synopsis:Sonny and Cher appear as themselves in this spoof of various movie genres, including mysteries, westerns and spy thrillers. The plot revolves around a movie contract offered to Sonny by powerful executive Mr. Mordicus,...
. In 1970, she appeared as Ashley St. Ives in Russ Meyer
Russ Meyer
Russell Albion "Russ" Meyer was a U.S. motion picture director, producer, screenwriter, cinematographer, editor, actor and photographer....
's first mainstream film Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls
Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a 1970 American schlock melodrama film starring Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John LaZar, Michael Blodgett and David Gurian...
, followed by his second mainstream film The Seven Minutes
The Seven Minutes (film)
The Seven Minutes is 1971 drama film directed and produced by Russ Meyer. The film was based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Irving Wallace.-Plot:After a teenager who purchased the erotic novel The Seven Minutes is charged for rape, an...
(1971). Meyer and Williams married in 1970, shortly after the release of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls.
In March 1973, she was photographed for Playboy
Playboy
Playboy is an American men's magazine that features photographs of nude women as well as journalism and fiction. It was founded in Chicago in 1953 by Hugh Hefner and his associates, and funded in part by a $1,000 loan from Hefner's mother. The magazine has grown into Playboy Enterprises, Inc., with...
in a full color photo spread by then-husband Russ Meyer.
After her divorce from Meyer in 1977, Williams continued acting, mainly appearing in films, many of which involved nudity.
In 1982, she appeared on an episode of The People's Court
The People's Court
The People's Court is a US television court show in which small claims court cases are heard, though what is shown is actually a binding arbitration....
as a defendant in a case titled "The Star Who Wouldn't Pay". Williams was sued for payment for publicity work the plaintiff had done for her. She counter-sued for half of the retainer she'd paid him.
After her appearance on The People's Court, Williams was sporadically active in films during the 1980s and early 1990s.
Since the 1990s, Williams has traditionally appeared at both the Academy Awards
Academy Awards
An Academy Award, also known as an Oscar, is an accolade bestowed by the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry, including directors, actors, and writers...
and the Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
in revealing and flamboyant outfits.
Selected filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | The Twilight Zone The Twilight Zone (1959 TV series) The Twilight Zone is an American anthology television series created by Rod Serling, which ran for five seasons on CBS from 1959 to 1964. The series consisted of unrelated episodes depicting paranormal, futuristic, dystopian, or simply disturbing events; each show typically featured a surprising... |
Chorus Girl | Episode: "The Dummy The Dummy "The Dummy" is an episode of the American television anthology series The Twilight Zone.-Synopsis:The episode opens with ventriloquist Jerry Etherson and his dummy Willie in the middle of one of his acts, somewhere in New York City. After the act, he goes back to his dressing room and begins to... " Uncredited |
| 1963 | For Love or Money For Love or Money (1963 film) For Love or Money is a 1963 romantic comedy film starring Kirk Douglas, Mitzi Gaynor and Thelma Ritter.-Plot summary:Lawyer Donald Kenneth "Deke" Gentry is given the task of playing matchmaker for the three daughters of his wealthy client Chloe Brasher .-Cast:* Kirk Douglas as Donald Kenneth... |
Edy | Uncredited |
| 1964 | Man's Favorite Sport? Man's Favorite Sport? Man's Favorite Sport? is a 1964 comedy film starring Rock Hudson and Paula Prentiss. Released by Universal Pictures, the movie was directed and produced by Howard Hawks.... |
Second Girl | Uncredited |
| 1964 | The Brass Bottle The Brass Bottle The Brass Bottle is a 1964 American fantasy film about a modern man who accidentally acquires a djinn. Though the word is commonly translated into English as "genie", author F. Anstey made a distinction between the two in the novel of the same name which provides the basis of the film.The film... |
Slave Girl | Uncredited |
| 1964 | A House Is Not a Home A House Is Not a Home (film) A House Is Not a Home is a 1964 drama film loosely based on the 1953 autobiography by madam Polly Adler. The film stars Shelley Winters, Robert Taylor, Cesar Romero, and Kaye Ballard.Raquel Welch made her film debut in a small role as a prostitute.-Plot:... |
Call Girl | |
| 1964 | The Naked Kiss The Naked Kiss The Naked Kiss is a 1964 neo-noir film written and directed by Samuel Fuller, starring Constance Towers as Kelly, Anthony Eisley as Captain Griff and Michael Dante as J.L. Grant.-Plot:... |
Hatrack | Alternative title: The Iron Kiss |
| 1965 | Harlow Harlow (film) Harlow is a biographical film about the life of film star Jean Harlow. It stars Carroll Baker in the title role. It was released in 1965 by Paramount Pictures, shortly after another film with the same title and subject... |
Mail Room Girl | Uncredited |
| 1966 | Run for Your Life Run for Your Life (TV series) Run for Your Life is an American television drama series starring Ben Gazzara as a man with only a short time to live. It ran on NBC from 1965 to 1968. The series was created by Roy Huggins, who had previously explored the "man on the move" concept with The Fugitive.-Synopsis:Gazzara plays lawyer... |
Watusi Dancer | Episode: "Carnival Ends at Midnight" |
| 1966 | Nevada Smith Nevada Smith Nevada Smith is a 1966 American Western film starring Steve McQueen and made by Embassy Pictures and Solar Productions, in association with and released by Paramount Pictures. The movie was produced and directed by Henry Hathaway with Joseph E... |
Saloon Girl | Uncredited |
| 1966 | Paradise, Hawaiian Style Paradise, Hawaiian Style Paradise, Hawaiian Style is a 1966 musical comedy film starring Elvis Presley. It was the third and final motion picture that Presley filmed in Hawaii. The film reached #40 on the Variety weekly box office chart, earning $2.5 million in theaters.... |
Brunette girl | Uncredited |
| 1966 | Batman Batman (TV series) Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to... |
Rae | 3 episodes |
| 1967 | Good Times Good Times (film) Good Times is a 1967 musical comedy film starring Sonny and Cher.-Synopsis:Sonny and Cher appear as themselves in this spoof of various movie genres, including mysteries, westerns and spy thrillers. The plot revolves around a movie contract offered to Sonny by powerful executive Mr. Mordicus,... |
Mordicus' Girl | Alternative title: Sonny & Chér in Good Times |
| 1967 | Lost in Space Lost in Space Lost in Space is a science fiction TV series created and produced by Irwin Allen, filmed by 20th Century Fox Television, and broadcast on CBS. The show ran for three seasons, with 83 episodes airing between September 15, 1965, and March 6, 1968... |
Non | Episode: "Two Weeks in Space" |
| 1968 | I Sailed to Tahiti with an All Girl Crew | Marilyn | |
| 1968 | The Secret Life of an American Wife The Secret Life of an American Wife The Secret Life of an American Wife is a 1968 comedy film written and directed by George Axelrod. The film was released by 20th Century Fox in 1968, and was considered a box-office failure. It features a music score by Billy May... |
Susie Steinberg | |
| 1969 | Where It's At | Phyllis Horrigan | |
| 1970 | Beyond the Valley of the Dolls Beyond the Valley of the Dolls Beyond the Valley of the Dolls is a 1970 American schlock melodrama film starring Dolly Read, Cynthia Myers, Marcia McBroom, John LaZar, Michael Blodgett and David Gurian... |
Ashley St. Ives | |
| 1971 | The Seven Minutes The Seven Minutes (film) The Seven Minutes is 1971 drama film directed and produced by Russ Meyer. The film was based on the 1969 novel of the same name by Irving Wallace.-Plot:After a teenager who purchased the erotic novel The Seven Minutes is charged for rape, an... |
Faye Osborn | |
| 1973 | Adam-12 Adam-12 Adam-12 was a television police drama which followed two police officers of the Los Angeles Police Department, Pete Malloy and Jim Reed, as they patrolled the streets of Los Angeles in their patrol unit, 1-Adam-12. Created by Jack Webb who is known for creating Dragnet, the series captured a... |
Tammy Warren | Episode: "Venice Division" |
| 1975 | Dr. Minx | Dr. Carol Evans | |
| 1977 | The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington The Happy Hooker goes to Washington is a 1977 comedy film directed by William A. Levey. It was the sequel to The Happy Hooker, which was released in 1975. Joey Heatherton replaced Lynn Redgrave as the lead character of Xaviera Hollander.Joe E... |
Professor Simmons | |
| 1980 | Willie and Phil | Ashley | Alternative title: Paul Mazurksy's Willie & Phil |
| 1983 | Chained Heat Chained Heat Chained Heat is a 1983 exploitation film in the women-in-prison genre. It was co-written and directed by Paul Nicholas for Jensen Farley Pictures.-Plot:... |
Paula | |
| 1984 | Hollywood Hot Tubs | Desiree | |
| 1985 | Hellhole | Vera | |
| 1987 | Mankillers Mankillers Mankillers, also known as 12 Wild Women, was filmed in 1986 in and around Riverside, California, United States and was written and directed by David A. Prior... |
Sgt. Roberts | Alternative title: 12 Wild Women |
| 1987 | Sledge Hammer! Sledge Hammer! Sledge Hammer! is an American satirical police sitcom produced by New World Television that ran for two seasons on ABC from 1986 to 1988. The series was created by Alan Spencer and stars David Rasche as Inspector Sledge Hammer, a preposterous caricature of the standard "cop on the edge" character,... |
Dream Girl | Episode: "They Call Me Mr. Trunk" |
| 1988 | Rented Lips | Heather Darling | |
| 1989 | Dr. Alien Dr. Alien Dr. Alien is a 1989 sci-fi comedy film starring Judy Landers, Billy Jacoby, and Olivia Barash. Directed by David DeCoteau, the film was also released under the titles I Was a Teenage Sex Maniac and I Was a Teenage Sex Mutant. The alternative titles explain the movie's plot.-Plot:Dr. Ackerman is... |
Buckmeister | Alternative titles: I Was a Teenage Sex Maniac I Was a Teenage Sex Mutant |
| 1991 | Bad Girls from Mars | Emanuelle | |
| 1995 | Snatch Masters 6 | Herself | |