Person
Frances E. Williams
East 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 blac…
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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).
Filmography
Movies and shows, newest first
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1994
Midnight Ramble
Movie Self - Actress
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1994
There Goes My Baby
Movie Grandmother
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1988
Rented Lips
Movie Black Grandma
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1987
Frank's Place
TV show Miss Marie
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1987
21 Jump Street
TV show Old Woman on Bus
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1986
Designing Women
TV show
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1985
Father of Hell Town
Movie Nora
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1982
Sister, Sister
Movie Mother Bishop
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1982
The Ambush Murders
Movie Emily Tyson
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1979
The Jerk
Movie Grandma Johnson
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1979
The Glove
Movie Grandma Hale
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1978
A Woman Called Moses
TV show Old Woman in Church
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1977
A Piece of the Action
Movie Naomi Chamberlain
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1974
Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes
Movie Moma Lottie (as Frances Williams)
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1974
Together Brothers
Movie Mama Wes
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1973
A Dream for Christmas
Movie Cassie Thomas
More credits
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1966
The Black Klansman
Movie Ellie Madison
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1951
Week-End with Father
Movie Cleo
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1951
The Family Secret
Movie
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1951
Queen for a Day
Movie Anna
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1950
Three Secrets
Movie Delia (uncredited)
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1949
The Reckless Moment
Movie Sybil (uncredited)
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1946
Magnificent Doll
Movie Amy
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1946
Her Sister's Secret
Movie Mathilda
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1939
Lying Lips
Movie Elizabeth Green
