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Legendary actress and swimmer Esther Williams dies at 91
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Jun 6, 2013
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Legendary actress and swimmer Esther Williams dies at 91
Famed actress and swimmer Esther Williams died today at 91 years of age.
Former movie star Esther Williams poses for photographers poolside at the Chateau Marmont Hotel 11 May with two woman dressed as mermaids. Williams hosted the party to help launch a new coffee-table book, 'Chronicle of the Cinema, 100 Years of the Movies.' The mermaids are Julie Yoneyama(L) and Lisa McDonald(R).
Former movie star Esther Williams poses for photographers poolside at the Chateau Marmont Hotel 11 May with two woman dressed as mermaids. Williams hosted the party to help launch a new coffee-table book, 'Chronicle of the Cinema, 100 Years of the Movies.' The mermaids are Julie Yoneyama(L) and Lisa McDonald(R).
(
HAL GARB/AFP/Getty Images
)

Famed actress and swimmer Esther Williams died today at 91 years of age.

Famed actress and swimmer Esther Williams died today at 91 years of age

Williams was famous for her aquatic acrobatics in the film musical spectaculars of the 1940s and 50s, like "Million Dollar Mermaid."

Williams had been a well-known champion swimmer before her celluloid career. But here's a little something you may not know: she first got her feet wet in a pool not far from here in Inglewood.

Her older sister taught her to swim and they paid the fee to use the pool by counting towels. By her teens, Williams was setting records as part of the Los Angeles Athletic Club swim team.