It was five decades ago long distance swimmer Diana Nyad became part of the cultural landscape with her feats including a recording-setting circling of Manhattan and a 102-mile swim from the Bahamas to Florida she accomplished that in 27 hours. In 1978, Nyad made her first attempt to swim from Cuba to Florida but ended the quest after 40 hours. After segueing to a successful career as a sports journalist on ABC’s “Wild World of Sports” for over two decades, she decided at 60 to try again. She made three attempts felled by asthma, muscle fatigue, jellyfish and a tropical storm.
Nyad’s attempts at the swim were the subject of the 2013 documentary “The Other Shore.” When I talked to her for the L.A. Times a decade ago the then 64-year-old was preparing for her final attempt. “When I first started this in my 20s and when I started again when I turned...
Nyad’s attempts at the swim were the subject of the 2013 documentary “The Other Shore.” When I talked to her for the L.A. Times a decade ago the then 64-year-old was preparing for her final attempt. “When I first started this in my 20s and when I started again when I turned...
- 11/11/2023
- by Susan King
- Gold Derby
Swimmer who found movie fame in a string of MGM musicals
Esther Williams, "Hollywood's Mermaid", who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy MGM musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. While smiling at the camera, she was able to do a combination of crawl, breast and backstroke, and was forever blowing bubbles under water, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of air.
Like the starlets Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and Donna Reed before her, she started out for MGM in a Hardy Family picture, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) – though one that allowed her to swim with Mickey Rooney. After being billed 19th in A Guy Named Joe (1943), she shot to stardom in her third film, Bathing Beauty (1944).
It started out as an average Red Skelton vehicle, first called Mr Co-Ed, then Sing and Swim, but Esther's superb figure and pretty features were heightened by Technicolor...
Esther Williams, "Hollywood's Mermaid", who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy MGM musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. While smiling at the camera, she was able to do a combination of crawl, breast and backstroke, and was forever blowing bubbles under water, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of air.
Like the starlets Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and Donna Reed before her, she started out for MGM in a Hardy Family picture, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) – though one that allowed her to swim with Mickey Rooney. After being billed 19th in A Guy Named Joe (1943), she shot to stardom in her third film, Bathing Beauty (1944).
It started out as an average Red Skelton vehicle, first called Mr Co-Ed, then Sing and Swim, but Esther's superb figure and pretty features were heightened by Technicolor...
- 6/7/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
American competitive swimming superstar and Hollywood actress Esther Williams died at age 91 in Beverly Hills on Thursday, reports The New York Times. The announcement was made by Williams' longtime publicist, Harlan Boll. Though her foremost passion was swimming, she signed a contract with MGM in 1941 when former studio head Louis B. Mayer scouted her out. Beginning in 1942 alongside Mickey Rooney in "Andy Hardy's Double Life," Williams went on to appear in dozens of MGM productions such as the George Sidney musicals "Bathing Beauty" (1944) and "Jupiter's Darling" (1955). Per Williams' request, her contract came with an unlimited guest pass to The Beverly Hills Hotel pool. Born in 1921 in La, Esther Williams started setting records while on the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team in her teens, where she worked for a nickel a day. She used that money to access the pool, where the male lifeguards gave her swimming lessons. That's when...
- 6/7/2013
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
Swimmer who found movie fame in a string of MGM musicals
Esther Williams, "Hollywood's Mermaid", who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy MGM musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. While smiling at the camera, she was able to do a combination of crawl, breast and backstroke, and was forever blowing bubbles under water, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of air.
Like the starlets Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and Donna Reed before her, she started out for MGM in a Hardy Family picture, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) – though one that allowed her to swim with Mickey Rooney. After being billed 19th in A Guy Named Joe (1943), she shot to stardom in her third film, Bathing Beauty (1944).
Continue reading...
Esther Williams, "Hollywood's Mermaid", who has died aged 91, swam her way through more than a dozen splashy MGM musicals in the 1940s and early 50s. While smiling at the camera, she was able to do a combination of crawl, breast and backstroke, and was forever blowing bubbles under water, seemingly having an inexhaustible supply of air.
Like the starlets Lana Turner, Kathryn Grayson and Donna Reed before her, she started out for MGM in a Hardy Family picture, Andy Hardy's Double Life (1942) – though one that allowed her to swim with Mickey Rooney. After being billed 19th in A Guy Named Joe (1943), she shot to stardom in her third film, Bathing Beauty (1944).
Continue reading...
- 6/6/2013
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
Esther Williams, star of MGM's aquamusicals in the '40s and '50s, has died. She was 91.
Her publicist Harlan Boll tells the Associated Press that Williams died in her sleep on Thursday (June 6). She had been largely out of the public eye since the release of her 1999 memoir, "The Million Dollar Mermaid," after suffering a handful of setbacks to her health.
In 2001, a fall down a flight of stairs in her Beverly Hills home resulted in a fractured ankle became infected, necessitating the use of a walker. In 2007, she suffered a stroke.
Williams began competing in amateur swimming competitions in the late 1930s, with hopes the she would make it onto the U.S. swim team for the 1940 Olympics. Those hopes were shattered when the Olympics were canceled due to the war in Europe. From there, a performance in the Aquacade at the 1940 San Francisco World's Fair caught of...
Her publicist Harlan Boll tells the Associated Press that Williams died in her sleep on Thursday (June 6). She had been largely out of the public eye since the release of her 1999 memoir, "The Million Dollar Mermaid," after suffering a handful of setbacks to her health.
In 2001, a fall down a flight of stairs in her Beverly Hills home resulted in a fractured ankle became infected, necessitating the use of a walker. In 2007, she suffered a stroke.
Williams began competing in amateur swimming competitions in the late 1930s, with hopes the she would make it onto the U.S. swim team for the 1940 Olympics. Those hopes were shattered when the Olympics were canceled due to the war in Europe. From there, a performance in the Aquacade at the 1940 San Francisco World's Fair caught of...
- 6/6/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
Actress and champion swimmer Esther Williams passed away at the age of 91 this morning.
Born in Inglewood, Calif., in 1921, Williams took an interest in swimming at a young age and began breaking individual U.S. swimming records as a teen.
Williams was slated to represent the U.S. in the 1940 Olympics; however, she was unable to participate in the Olympics, which were hosted in Finland that year, as they were canceled due to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
She then utilized another one of her talents, good looks, to become a model.
Then 18 years old, she drew attention from MGM scouts at the Aquacade, an aquatic spectacle, in San Francisco and was shortly thereafter signed to a contract.
Two years later, Williams made her film debut in the comedy Andy Hardy's Double Life, starring Mickey Rooney.
As she continued to refine her acting craft over the years, Williams landed...
Born in Inglewood, Calif., in 1921, Williams took an interest in swimming at a young age and began breaking individual U.S. swimming records as a teen.
Williams was slated to represent the U.S. in the 1940 Olympics; however, she was unable to participate in the Olympics, which were hosted in Finland that year, as they were canceled due to the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
She then utilized another one of her talents, good looks, to become a model.
Then 18 years old, she drew attention from MGM scouts at the Aquacade, an aquatic spectacle, in San Francisco and was shortly thereafter signed to a contract.
Two years later, Williams made her film debut in the comedy Andy Hardy's Double Life, starring Mickey Rooney.
As she continued to refine her acting craft over the years, Williams landed...
- 6/6/2013
- Entertainment Tonight
Los Angeles — Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, has died. She was 91.
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," `'Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
When hard...
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," `'Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
When hard...
- 6/6/2013
- by AP
- Huffington Post
Los Angeles, Calif. - Esther Williams, the swimming champion turned actress who starred in glittering and aquatic Technicolor musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, has died. She was 91.
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," ''Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
Williams died early Thursday in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.
Following in the footsteps of Sonja Henie, who went from skating champion to movie star, Williams became one of Hollywood's biggest moneymakers, appearing in spectacular swimsuit numbers that capitalized on her wholesome beauty and perfect figure.
Such films as "Easy to Wed," ''Neptune's Daughter" and "Dangerous When Wet" followed the same formula: romance, music, a bit of comedy and a flimsy plot that provided excuses to get Esther into the water.
The extravaganzas dazzled a second generation via television and the compilation films "That's Entertainment." Williams' co-stars included the pick of the MGM contract list, including Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Red Skelton, Ricardo Montalban and Howard Keel.
- 6/6/2013
- by CP
- Huffington Post
The silver screen has long boasted many great beauties, but only one was ever worthy of the title "America's Mermaid." Esther Williams, MGM's great synchronized swimming star and box-office attraction of the '40s and '50s, died. She was 91. The star's publicist Harlan Boll told the Associated Press she died in her sleep Thursday. Relatively removed from the public eye since the publication of her 1999 memoir, The Million Dollar Mermaid, Williams suffered some health setbacks in the past several years. In 2001, she fractured her ankle (which then became infected, necessitating the use of a walker) after a spill down...
- 6/6/2013
- by Stephen M. Silverman
- PEOPLE.com
American swimming champion-turned-film-star Esther Williams died in her sleep today, at age 91.
Williams, who was a national champion in her teens, was spotted by an MGM talent scout and made her screen debut in Andy Hardy's Double Life in 1942. MGM would go on to make her in to a synchonised screen siren, developing "Aqua Musicals" specifically for her in the 1940s.
Dubbed Hollywood's Mermaid, she became a huge box office draw in the Forties and Fifties, with her films including The One Piece Bathing Suit - co-starring Victor Mature - Dangerous When Wet and Fiesta.
Other big-name co-stars included Howard Keel, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.
As studio appetites for musicals declined, she tried to carve a name for herself out of the water but failed to match her earlier succes. She retired from public life in the Sixties, marrying her Dangerous When Wet co-star Fernando Lamas - her third husband after.
Williams, who was a national champion in her teens, was spotted by an MGM talent scout and made her screen debut in Andy Hardy's Double Life in 1942. MGM would go on to make her in to a synchonised screen siren, developing "Aqua Musicals" specifically for her in the 1940s.
Dubbed Hollywood's Mermaid, she became a huge box office draw in the Forties and Fifties, with her films including The One Piece Bathing Suit - co-starring Victor Mature - Dangerous When Wet and Fiesta.
Other big-name co-stars included Howard Keel, Frank Sinatra and Gene Kelly.
As studio appetites for musicals declined, she tried to carve a name for herself out of the water but failed to match her earlier succes. She retired from public life in the Sixties, marrying her Dangerous When Wet co-star Fernando Lamas - her third husband after.
- 6/5/2013
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Hollywood actor best known for the Hardy family films and her role as Careen, Scarlett O'Hara's sister, in Gone With the Wind
Ann Rutherford, who has died aged 94, was adept at portraying pluck and persistence. As Polly Benedict, Andy Hardy's ever-faithful girlfriend, in 13 of the 15 Hardy family film series made between 1937 and 1946, she had to wait around for Mickey Rooney's accident-prone adolescent to return to her after some dalliance with another girl. Andy would seek advice on romance from his stern but wise and fair father, Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone). "Dad, can I talk to you man to man? Can a guy be in love with two girls at once?" Inevitably, Andy would realise, with hints from his dad, that Polly was his own true love.
The Hardy series, one of the most popular in screen history, was the archetypal idealisation of small-town America and apple-pie family values, with...
Ann Rutherford, who has died aged 94, was adept at portraying pluck and persistence. As Polly Benedict, Andy Hardy's ever-faithful girlfriend, in 13 of the 15 Hardy family film series made between 1937 and 1946, she had to wait around for Mickey Rooney's accident-prone adolescent to return to her after some dalliance with another girl. Andy would seek advice on romance from his stern but wise and fair father, Judge Hardy (Lewis Stone). "Dad, can I talk to you man to man? Can a guy be in love with two girls at once?" Inevitably, Andy would realise, with hints from his dad, that Polly was his own true love.
The Hardy series, one of the most popular in screen history, was the archetypal idealisation of small-town America and apple-pie family values, with...
- 6/12/2012
- by Ronald Bergan
- The Guardian - Film News
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.