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American actress Cindy Williams, best known for starring in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley, passed away at the age of 75.
The news of her death was announced by her children Zak and Emily Hudson via a statement issued to The Associated Press on January 30, where they revealed that Williams died of a brief illness on Wednesday, January 25.
“The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed. Knowing and loving her has been our joy and privilege. She was one of a kind, beautiful, generous, and possessed a brilliant sense of humor and a glittering spirit that everyone loved.”
Cindy Williams rose to stardom by starring in the drama comedy American Graffiti by George Lucas, and The Conversation by Francis Ford Coppola. She became a household name from 1976 to 1983 for playing the titular role of Shirley in Laverne & Shirley, alongside Penny Marshall.
Twitter reactions to Cindy Williams' death
After the news of Cindy Williams' death was announced, Twitterati paid tribute to the deceased. Several users remembered Williams' contribution to the entertainment industry and shared clips from her famous work throughout the years.
Cindy Williams filed a $20 million lawsuit against Paramount
Born on August 22, 1947, Cindy Williams was a native of Los Angeles, California. She began her acting career in 1970 by appearing in My World and Welcome to It as Lydia.
Her other acting credits include Barefoot in the Park, Drive, He Said, Room 222, Beware! The Blob, The Killing Kind, Hawaii Five-O, Cannon, Police Story, More American Graffiti, The Creature Wasn't Nice, When Dreams Come True, and Tricks of the Trade, among others.
While speaking with The Los Angeles Times in 1993 on how she prepared for the roles that made her a household name, Williams said:
“When you can find those characters with attitudes who are in sync, they are funny and charming to watch. You see aspects of yourself in the characters’ attitudes. Usually in sitcoms, the characters you play are close to you. They are beats within yourself that you really play well.”
In 1982, Williams tied the knot with her Room 222 co-star Bill Hudson. The duo welcomed two children together, Emily and Zachary, before separating in 2000.
Cindy starred on Laverne & Shirley till its seventh season and did not return for the eighth one after she got married and pregnant.
While speaking on the Today show in 2015, she noted how her contract made her work on her due date.
"I thought I was going to come back and they’d hide [the baby bump] behind benches, couches, pillows, and that wasn’t it. When it came time for me to sign my contract for that season, they had me working on my due date to have my baby. I said, ‘You know, I can’t sign this.’ And it went back and forth and back and forth, and it just never got worked out."
She sued Paramount and the show's producer for $20 million, which was ultimately settled.
As per Us Weekly, Cindy Williams revealed she remained true to herself despite her fame as she came from a "normal background."
"I’ve had bizarre times in my life. I was a hippie in the ’60s. But basically, I’m real normal. I like to go around the house at bedtime and turn off all the lights. Sometimes I even take the hangers back to the dry cleaners so they can use them again.”
On the professional front, she last appeared on The Pack Podcast as Luann.
