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How did Cindy Williams die? 'Laverne and Shirley' star, 75, had 'brilliant sense of humor'

Besides playing Shirley Feeney on 'Laverne and Shirley', Cindy Williams was also known for her roles in 'Travels With My Aunt' and 'American Graffiti'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Cindy Williams, who played the role of Shirley Feeney on the 'Happy Days' spinoff 'Laverne & Shirley,' died on Wednesday, January 25, at the age of 75 in Los Angeles. Williams was also known for her roles in 'Travels With My Aunt' and 'American Graffiti'.

The official statement released by her children read, “The passing of our kind, hilarious mother, Cindy Williams, has brought us insurmountable sadness that could never truly be expressed,” the statement said. “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.”

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How did Cindy Williams die? 

Williams died after suffering from a brief illness. She was born in Van Nuys, California on August 22, 1947. Her interest in acting began when she was studying at Birmingham High School. Later, she attended Los Angeles City College as a theater major. Williams was married to Bill Hudson and is survived by two children Zak and Emily Hudson. Meanwhile, her other film and television credits include 'Bingo,' 'Meet Wally Sparks,' 'The Biggest Fan,' 'Strip Mall,' 'For Your Love,' '7th Heaven,' 'Sam and Cat' etc.

Williams lived in Dallas for nearly nine years with her mother because of her dad's alcoholism. However, they returned to California when she was 11, as per The Hollywood Reporter. During her young days, she worked as a waitress at the International House of Pancakes. Meanwhile, in 2015, she also released her memoir, 'Shirley, I Jest!: A Storied Life.' She toured the country in the one-woman show 'Me, Myself & Shirley,'  where she shared memories of her career in 2021. She was also nominated for the Golden Globe Awards and has also received a BAFTA nomination. 

'We lost another one!'

Meanwhile, the Internet quickly reacted to her death. Publicist Danny Dereney tweeted, "May this be how Cindy Williams is greeted, if there was an afterlife." Actor Greg Grunberg wrote, "One of my all-time favorites #cindywilliams #RIP." A user said, "I was always much more of a Laverne than a Shirley — but without Shirley, there would've BEEN no Laverne. RIP, Cindy Williams. Pouring out a milk and Pepsi for a demure comedy queen." Writer Chris Vognar tweeted, "Aw man. Cindy Williams. Great in a small but key part in The Conversation. “He’d kill us if he had the chance.” Writer Benjamin Dreyer said, "This is sad. I loved to watch Laverne & Shirley. Goodbye to Cindy Williams." Radio personality, Lisa Brandt stated, "She was as nice as Shirley Feeney. Sorry to learn that #cindywilliams has died at 75. It was a thrill to meet and interview her in my radio life.

Singer Tamela wrote, "RIP #CindyWilliams. An Italian American actor who was so sweet and such an understated physical comedic talent. Watch any episode of Laverne and Shirley and watch what she does when she didn’t have any lines. Always busy. Brilliant." Screenwriter Brian Lynch stated, "Cindy Williams was so great in AMERICAN GRAFFITI and so damn funny in LAVERNE & SHIRLEY. May she rest in peace." Writer Sinco Paul tweeted, "My favorite Cindy Williams performance is in a rarely seen but really great little movie called Uforia (also w/ Fred Ward and Harry Dean Stanton). She was perfect in it--track it down if you can. RIP, Cindy." Majid Padellan, a political commentator wrote, "Oh man, we lost another one! Cindy Williams, aka Shirley Feeney from Laverne and Shirley, has passed at 75. RIP Cindy Williams. " "Nothing but great memories working with #CindyWilliams. Sweet and funny, she was everything you hoped she would be. #RIP Cindy #laverneandshirley," wrote Gino Salomone. Standup comedian Dante wrote, "This one hurts. I was lucky enough to be in a movie with her and she also signed my diary on an airplane one time and wrote a really funny story in it. Heartbreaking. What a soul. Rest in peace #Cindywilliams."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.