
Actor
Frances E. Williams
Born September 17, 1905 in East Orange, New Jersey, USADied January 2, 199520 films
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.
Read more
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).
Start here
The best way into Frances E. Williams's work
First watchThe Jerk19796.9as Grandma JohnsonAfter discovering he's not really black like the rest of his family, likable dimwit Navin Johnson sets off on a hilarious misadventure that takes him from rags to riches and back again.View filmEssential films
Ranked by acclaim and reachFilmography
20 films as actor- 1994There Goes My BabyGrandmother
- 1988Rented LipsBlack Grandma
- 1985Father of Hell TownNora
- 1982Sister, SisterMother Bishop
- 1982The Ambush MurdersEmily Tyson
- 1979The JerkGrandma Johnson
- 1979The GloveGrandma Hale
- 1977A Piece of the ActionNaomi Chamberlain
- 1974Baby Needs a New Pair of ShoesMoma Lottie (as Frances Williams)
- 1974Together BrothersMama Wes
- 1973A Dream for ChristmasCassie Thomas
- 1966The Black KlansmanEllie Madison
- 1951Week-End with FatherCleo
- 1951The Family Secret
- 1951Queen for a DayAnna
- 1950Three SecretsDelia (uncredited)
- 1949The Reckless MomentSybil (uncredited)
- 1946Magnificent DollAmy
- 1946Her Sister's SecretMathilda
- 1939Lying LipsElizabeth Green
