Esther Williams Dead At 91

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)

Star of the silver screen and in the swimming pool, actress Esther Williams has passed away at the age of 91. Williams died early today in her sleep, according to her longtime publicist Harlan Boll.

Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will pay tribute to legendary film star and swimmer Esther Williams with a 24-hour marathon of films beginning Thursday, June 13, at 8 p.m. (ET). TCM’s tribute will feature 13 of Williams’ films, including her film debut in Andy Hardy’s Double Life (1942); her first starring vehicle, Bathing Beauty (1944); the colorful musical Neptune’s Daughter (1949); the biopic of swimmer Annette Kellerman, Million Dollar Mermaid (1952); the romantic comedy Easy to Wed (1946); and the Hawaii-set musical Pagan Love Song (1950).

The following is a complete schedule of TCM’s June 13-14 tribute to Esther Williams:

Thursday, June 13
8 p.m. – Bathing Beauty (1944)
10 p.m. – Neptune’s Daughter (1949)
11:45 p.m. – Million Dollar Mermaid (1952)
1:45 a.m. – Dangerous When Wet (1953)
3:30 a.m. – Andy Hardy’s Double Life (1942)
5:15 a.m. – Thrill of a Romance (1945)

Friday, June 14 9:15 a.m. – The Hoodlum Saint (1946)
11 a.m. – Fiesta (1947)
1 p.m. – This Time For Keeps (1947)
3 p.m. – On An Island With You (1948)
5 p.m. – Pagan Love Song (1950)
6:30 p.m. – Texas Carnival (1951)

A longtime friend of TCM, Williams served as one of the network’s first celebrity spokespeople and on-air hosts. In 1996, she sat down with Robert Osborne for the second of his extended interview specials, Private Screenings. And in 2010, Williams took part in the inaugural TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood (pictured below). She was on hand for a poolside screening of Neptune’s Daughter with co-star Betty Garrett. The evening also featured a performance by the synchronized swimming team The Aqualillies.

2010 TCM Classic Film Festival