Esther Williams

Birth Name: Ester Jane Williams

Date of Birth: August 8, 1921

Place of Birth: Inglewood, Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Death: June 6, 2013

Place of Death: Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, as well as German, Scottish, and Welsh

Esther Williams was an American competitive swimmer, actress, and businessperson. She was a champion swimmer whose athletic talent led to a successful film career at MGM. During the 1940s and 1950s, she became famous for her lavish “aquamusicals,” combining synchronized swimming, dance, and musical performances. Her roles included the films Andy Hardy’s Double Life, A Guy Named Joe, Bathing Beauty, Thrill of a Romance, Ziegfeld Follies, The Hoodlum Saint, Easy to Wed, Till the Clouds Roll By, Fiesta (1947), This Time for Keeps, On an Island with You, Take Me Out to the Ball Game, Neptune’s Daughter, Duchess of Idaho, Pagan Love Song, Texas Carnival, Callaway Went Thataway, Skirts Ahoy!, Million Dollar Mermaid, Dangerous When Wet, Easy to Love, Jupiter’s Darling, The Unguarded Moment, Raw Wind in Eden, The Big Show (1961), Magic Fountain, and That’s Entertainment! III. After retiring from acting, she remained active in business, lending her name to successful swimwear and swimming pool product lines.

She was the daughter of Bula/Bulah Myrtle (Gilpin) and Louis Stanton Williams. Her father was born in Dodge City, Ford County, Kansas. Her mother was born in Iowa. Her family had moved to Los Angeles for her brother, Stanton Williams’, acting career, though he died in 1929.

Esther was married to Argentinian-American actor Fernando Lamas, until his death; and then to Edward Bell, until her death. She had three children with her former husband, radio performer, singer, announcer, and actor Ben Gage. Her stepson was actor Lorenzo Lamas.

Esther’s paternal grandfather was Benjamin Stanton Williams (the son of Dr. Allen Williams and Martha Michener). Benjamin was born in Cedarville, Greene County, Ohio. Allen was born in Wayne County, Indiana. Martha was born in Harrison County, Ohio, the daugher of Benjamin Michener and Abigail Stanton.

Esther’s paternal grandmother was named Jennie Milisa Turner (the daughter of August J. Turner). Jennie was born in Paris, Lamar County, Texas.

Esther’s maternal grandfather was Samuel Carter Gilpin/Gilpen (the son of William Coats/Cotes Gilpin and Mary Elizabeth Morris). Samuel was born in Belmont, Belmont County, Ohio. William was born in Charles City County, Virginia, the son of Samuel G. Gilpin and Sarah Elizabeth Carpenter. Esther’s great-grandmother Mary Elizabeth was born in Illinois.

Esther’s maternal grandmother was Ester/Esther Ann/Annie Yarrington (the daughter of Alvah/Alva James Yarrington, Jr. and Pruda Medora Post). Ester was born in Crawford County, Pennsylvania. Alvah was born in Girard, Erie County, Pennsylvania, the son of Alvah James Yarrington and Almira “Polly” Towers. Esther’s great-grandmother Pruda was born in Washington County, New York, the daughter of Samuel Post, Sr., whose father was born in Lincolnshire, England; and of Mary Ann Sprague, who was from Vermont.

Sources: Genealogies of Esther Williams – https://www.findagrave.com
https://www.geni.com