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