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"So when I said I was going to be on Sam & Cat, it was like, 'OMG, you’re going to meet Jennette and Ariana?!?'"
— Williams about what her granddaughter's reaction to being on Sam & Cat

Cindy Williams
Cindy Williams at the 10th Annual TV Land Awardd
Biographical information
Full Name

Cynthia Jane Williams

Nickname(s)

Cindy

Gender

Female

Occupation

Actress

Years active

1970–2023

Physical description
Hair color

Dark brown

Eye color

Blue

Production information
First appearance

#SalmonCat

Last appearance

#SalmonCat

Role

Janice Dobbins

Cynthia Jane "Cindy" Williams (August 22, 1947 – January 25, 2023[1]) was a guest cast member on Sam & Cat. She is known for playing Shirley Feeney on the sitcom Laverne & Shirley.

Biography[]

Early life[]

Williams was born in Van Nuys, California, to Francesca (née Bellini) and Beachard Williams. She has a sister named Carol Ann Williams. She graduated from Birmingham High School. She attended Los Angeles City College. To date she has appeared in 19 films.

Career[]

After graduating from college, Williams was cast in several commercials before landing roles on shows such as The Nanny, Room 222, and Love, American Style. She then landed on more important roles on programs such as Travels with My Aunt, American Graffiti, and The Conversation.

In 1976, she landed the role of Shirley Feeney on Laverne & Shirley after playing the same character on Happy Days in 1975, co-starring with Penny Marshall. The show lasted until 1982 due to Williams and Marshall's feuding and Williams's pregnancy.

In 2013, she and Marshall guest-starred on Sam & Cat as two producers active in the 1970s who fought and stopped speaking to each other.

Personal life[]

Williams was married to Bill Hudson of the musical trio Hudson Brothers in 1982, but the marriage ended in divorce in 2000. Together they have two children: A daughter, Emily Hudson (born 1982), and son, Zachary Hudson (born 1986). Cindy Williams was a practicing Catholic.

Death[]

Williams died in Los Angeles on January 25, 2023, at age 75, following a brief illness.

Other credits[]

Television work[]

Year Series Role Notes
1971 The Funny Side Teen girl
1974 The Migrants Betty TV movie
Hawaii Five-O Unknown Season 6, episode 18: "Secret Witness"
1975, 1976, 1979 Happy Days Shirley Feeney Recurring character (5 episodes)
1976-1982 Laverne & Shirley Reprise role; co-leading role
1981–1982 Laverne & Shirley in the Army Reprise role; co-leading role; voice only
1982–1983 The Mork & Mindy/Laverne & Shirley/Fonz Hour Reprise role; voice only
1985 When Dreams Come True Susan Matthews TV Movie; main cast
1986 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color Lisa Burke, Heather Drew Recurring cast member
1988 Save the Dog! Becky TV movie; star
Tricks of the Trade Catherine TV movie; main cast
1989-present Just Like Family Unknown
1990 Perry Mason: The Case of the Poisoned Pen Rita Sue Bliss
Normal Life Anne Harlow Recurring (13 episodes)
Steel Magnolias M'Lynn Eatenton Unsold pilot; main cast
Menu for Murder Connie Mann TV movie
1991 Earth Angel Judith TV movie; main cast
1993–1994 Getting By Cathy Hale Main cast
1995 Escape from Terror: The Teresa Stamper Story Wanda Walden
The Magic School Bus Gerri Poveri Voice only; season 2, episode 13: "Ups and Downs"
1996 The Stepford Husbands Caroline TV movie; main cast
1999 The Patty Duke Show: Still Rockin' In Brooklyn Heights Sue Ellen Understudy (original actress was unavailable)
2000–2001 Strip Mall Herself Recurring (6 episodes)
2002 Laverne & Shirley Together Again Shirley Feeney Reprise role; co-lead role
2008 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter Mary Ellen Doyle Recurring (2 episodes)
2004 Law and Order: Special Victims Unit Nora Hodges Guest star; season 5, episode 19: "Sick"
2007 Drive House mother Recurring (3 episodes)
2012 Strawberry Summer Ruth Yates
2013 Sam & Cat Janice Dobbins Guest star; episode 17: #SalmonCat

Stage work[]

Filmography[]

Year Title Role Notes
1971 Gas-s-s-s Marissa Film debut
Drive, He Said Manager's girlfriend
1972 Beware! The Blob Randy's girlfriend
Travels with My Aunt Tooley
1973 The Killing Kind Lori Davis
American Graffiti Laurie Bolander
1974 The Conversation Ann
1975 Mr. Ricco Jamison
1976 The First Nudie Musical Rosie Main cast
1979 More American Graffiti Laurie Bolander Reprise role; sequel
1981 Sois belle et tais-toi Herself Documentary
1983 The Creature Wasn't Nice Annie McHugh Main cast
1985 UFOria Arlene Stewart
1989 Big Man on Campus Diane Girard
Rude Awakening June Margolin
1991 Bingo Natalie Devlin Main cast
1997 Meet Wally Sparks Emily Preston
2002 The Biggest Fan Debbie's mom
2006 The Legend of William Tell Unknown
2007 The Last Guy on Earth Unknown

Discography[]

Trivia[]

  • She and Penny Marshall wrote together before playing Laverne and Shirley.
  • She is one of the oldest guest stars on Sam & Cat.

References[]

External links[]

vedCast
Main Cast
Jennette McCurdyAriana GrandeCameron Ocasio
Recurring Cast
Maree CheathamZoran KorachChristina HogueSophia Grace and RosieEmily SkinnerGriffin Kane
Guest Stars
Ben GirouxEric LangeKel MitchellPenny MarshallCindy WilliamsSusan HuckleRiver AlexanderOlivia KeeganNathan KressElizabeth GilliesMatt BennettLiam McKannaCraig DudaScott BaioNoah MunckReed AlexanderDanielle MorrowEmma EngleMichael Eric ReidAbby WildeJimmy SmagulaIsabella DayJerry Trainor
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