Andy Williams Had More Secrets Than We Realized
Most of us know Andy Williams as the cardigan-wearing, clean-cut crooner of the mid-century. His buttery rendition of “Moon River" and vast array of Christmas songs made us feel warm and cozy inside. But beneath the cardigans there was something else. A secret love affair with a much older woman. Carousing with shady friends. And perhaps the most surprising: being at the center of a shocking, celebrity trial.
Add a connection to the Kennedy family, and Williams is suddenly resting firmly at the irresistible intersection of high society, politics, and Hollywood scandal.
1. He Showed Early Talent
Andy Williams was the fourth son of Florence and Jay Williams and was born on December 3, 1927, in Wall Lake, Iowa. All four boys had singing talent, and they were soon using it in a children’s choir at their local church and then on the radio. But there was a dark side to the boys’ need for musical success.
NBC Television, Wikimedia Commons
2. They Needed Money For Food
When Williams was growing up, it was the Great Depression, and money was scarce. Williams’ father was not just helping his sons for fun. He actually hoped they could bring in some much-needed cash to help the family out. Because the stakes were so high, his father became relentless. The boys had to become a hit act.
But this obsession would take a toll.
![Collectie / Archief : Fotocollectie Anefo
Reportage / Serie : [ onbekend ]
Beschrijving : Andy Williams met echtgenote op Schiphol
Datum : 1 september 1972
Locatie : Noord-Holland, Schiphol
Trefwoorden : ECHTGENOTES, zangers
Persoonsnaam : Andy Williams
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Hans Peters for Anefo, Wikimedia Commons
3. His Father Tore Down His Confidence
Andy Williams later said that his father’s need for success caused his ego to take a hit. His father obsessed over getting things right, and Williams remembered his desperate need, which came out sounding harsh. Williams remembered his father saying, "You have to practise harder because you're not as good as others out there".
But he didn’t stop here.
William Morris Agency (management), Wikimedia Commons
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4. Music Came Before School
Sadly, Williams' father was willing to let his sons miss out on some of the things that most kids see as an essential part of a normal childhood. In fact, his father told him to forget about his education. He really wanted his kids to be musicians, and he was laser-focused on making it happen.
When tragedy struck this struggling family, it meant even more pressure for Williams.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
5. Tragedy Hit The Williams Family
By this time, Andy Williams was no longer the youngest child, as there was now a younger sister and a brother. Sadly, when Williams was eight, his younger brother Buddy passed due to spinal meningitis. The family was in a grave financial situation, and his father turned to his sons to pay for the funeral. They worked for months singing at the funeral parlour just to pay the bill.
But Williams’ father would not give up.
Sheldon Saltman, Public Relations, Wikimedia Commons
6. They Hit The Big Time
Williams’ father moved the family around just so the boys could sing on bigger and better radio stations. Eventually they ended up in Los Angeles, California, in 1943. Now managing his sons, the head of the Williams family landed them a gig singing with Bing Crosby on his record “Swinging on a Star”. He then leveraged this into small singing parts in four musical films.
It looked like Williams and his brother were going to be movie stars.
7. Hollywood Pulled The Plug
MGM saw the potential of these singing brothers and offered them a contract. Their first two films were to be Anchors Aweigh and Ziegfeld Follies. Before they started filming, a letter arrived that derailed everything. The letter called for the oldest brother, Bob Williams, to sign up for army service. MGM canceled the boys' contract, and their film career was over before it even began.
Fortunately, there was someone at MGM who knew these boys needed to sing.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
8. They Became A Sensation
Kay Thompson worked for MGM’s vocal department, and she had the idea to put the three remaining Williams brothers in her choir. When Bob returned from serving his country, Thompson took the boys away from MGM, and they went on the road with her as backup singers and dancers. They started in Las Vegas, and the act soared in popularity. In fact, they earned the title of the highest-paid nightclub act in the world.
But there was a closely guarded secret that Williams was hiding.
Evening Standard, Getty Images
9. Their Scandalous Romance Was A Secret
When Andy Williams went on tour with Thompson, he was 19 years old, and she was 38. Despite the age difference, a romance began. This would be a huge scandal at this time, so Williams and Thompson kept it a secret. They didn’t even tell the three other Williams boys.
After milking this act for as long as possible, it was time for a change.
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10. He Couldn't Escape Her
By the middle of 1949, Williams' show with Thompson was losing popularity. Thompson took this as a reason to go solo, and Williams’ brothers decided they needed time away from each other. This left Andy on his own. He and Thompson were still in a secret relationship, so it seemed like an obvious thing for Thompson to help Williams with his solo career.
But this would not go well.
11. He Hit A Low
Thompson’s idea of a nightclub act for Andy Williams was one that was as witty and sophisticated as the one she’d had with his brothers. But the audiences Williams was playing for weren’t into witty and sophisticated. In short, Williams’ solo career began to tank. He got so broke that he turned to dog food for meals to save money.
Clearly, Williams needed a big break.
12. He Sang His Way Onto Television
Williams’ ticket to stardom came on television. He got a job as the nightly singer on a late-night talk show called The Tonight Show. The host was Steve Allen, and this gig got Williams singing on TV every night. It was a huge turnaround for Williams, and he didn’t waste any time taking it forward.
13. He Gave Away Half His Earnings
What Andy Williams wanted with his newfound fame was a record deal. He turned to Thompson and asked for her help. She had connections to Cadence Records, and Williams offered her half of his earnings if she could help him seal the deal. Cadence Records signed on Williams instantly, but now Williams had to pony up half of his income to Thompson.
Williams had to forget about losing money to Thompson and just focus on making hit records.
14. He Hated Singing It
While recording for Cadence, Williams found success with the single “Canadian Sunset”. Then “Butterfly” took off, and he found fame across the pond as well. It became a number one single in the US and Britain. Sadly, Williams later said that he hated the song.
But there was someone out there who had a big love for Williams.
15. She Liked It A Little Too Much
In 1959, Andy Williams released his version of "Hawaiian Wedding Song”, and it quickly found a famous fan. Celebrated actor Marlene Dietrich loved it so much she made an astonishing request. She ordered up a special copy of the song. It was an album that had the same track repeated 12 times.
Williams was making serious money with Cadence, but he couldn't forget that Thompson was getting half. Clearly, this had to stop.
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16. He Severed Ties With Thompson
One way to get out of Thompson’s clutches was to change to a different record company. When he got Columbia to sign, he managed to talk his way out of his contract with Cadence. That removed Thompson's 50 percent take. To further distance himself from Thompson, Williams put literal distance between them and moved to LA.
Once out west, Williams also made some friends of his own.
University of Southern California, Getty Images
17. He Wasn’t Cool
Throughout his career, Andy Williams has had an uncool image. The cardigans didn’t help. But he wasn't always behaving like a square. There were few performers cooler at this time than Frank Sinatra, and Williams said he partied with Ol’ Blue Eyes. But something happened with Sinatra that left Williams not cool but cold.
William P. Gottlieb, Wikimedia Commons
18. His Friend Was Disturbing
On one night out with Sinatra, Williams witnessed a disturbing side of his friend. A patron at the restaurant spilled a beverage on the coat of one of Sinatra’s friends. The embarrassed patron said he was sorry and even offered to pick up the tab for dry cleaning. This was not enough, and Sinatra had his bodyguard punch him in the face.
Williams was shocked.
Capitol Records (File No. 3860-25). Photographer unknown., Wikimedia Commons
19. He Was Mystified
Andy Williams later spoke about Frank Sinatra's behavior, saying, “It was always a mystery to me how someone like Sinatra, who could sing with such heart-melting tenderness and sensitivity, could also act with the most cold-hearted cruelty". Luckily, there were still people in Williams life who restored his faith in humanity.
20. He Met Her On the Road
Williams was now in his 30s, and his complicated relationship with Thompson had lasted since he was 18. The final step in ending this relationship was finding someone new. Williams was driving one day through Las Vegas and came across a stranded beauty. Dancer Claudine Longet was having car trouble, and Williams pulled over to help.
Neither knew how important this moment would end up being.
21. They Fell In Love On The Road
That roadside encounter changed everything. Andy Williams and Longet were suddenly in love and planning to get married. Just like with Thompson, there was a big age difference. This time it was Williams’ turn to be the older one. He was 32, and Longet was just 18.
Longet was in luck. Her new husband’s career was about to take off.
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22. He Found His Signature Song
The same year that Williams married Longet, he also received an incredible offer. Composer Henry Mancini wanted him to sing his song “Moon River” at the Academy Awards show. This was the widely popular song for the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and it would ultimately become Williams’ signature song.
With this exposure at the Oscars, Williams got another offer. This time for his own TV show.
23. He Gave Future Stars A Break
The Andy Williams Show used “Moon River” as its theme, and soon his father started offering his opinions. He recommended a group of singers all in the same family, much as Williams had started. This was the Osmond Brothers, and they became almost regulars. Williams also used his show to give a career boost to Michael Jackson and Elton John.
He then turned to help a star with a troubled career.
24. He Looked Up To Her
Williams’ mentor and lover, Thompson, was the godmother of Judy Garland's daughter. But the world of celebrity proved small, and Williams also had a connection to the iconic actress. Williams had lived in awe of Garland’s talent, and on one occasion, it was he who ended up coming to her rescue.
Warner Bros., Wikimedia Commons
25. He Gave Her The Stage
Throughout Garland’s career, she faced huge challenges. At one point, the studios were keeping a distance from her, and Garland was suffering for it. Enter: Andy Williams. He had his TV show and invited Garland to be a guest, giving her career a much-needed boost. Williams had helped Garland—but now he needed to get himself out of his own bind.
Studio Publicity, Wikimedia Commons
26. He Threw Money At A Problem
Williams’ career was really soaring with Columbia Records, but he had a fear. He was worried that some minor label would release some of his inferior—and embarrassing—tracks from the past. Luckily, Williams had the kind of money that could solve this problem. He simply bought Cadence Records’ complete catalogue and kept it for himself.
This purchase was for self-preservation, but it ended up being a huge money-maker.
27. He Started His Own Company
Andy Williams had bought Cadence Records’ entire catalogue, but it was just to protect his own past recordings. He also wound up owning songs by bands like the Everly Brothers. He saw a way to make money, so he started Barnaby Records, which went on to release songs by Jimmy Buffett and the novelty song "The Streak” by Ray Stevens. But that wasn't all.
The same year Williams started Barnaby Records, he got into making movies.
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28. He Walked Away From Hollywood
In 1964, Andy Williams gave movie making a try. He was one of the featured performers in I’d Rather Be Rich, which also starred Sandra Dee. The film was only a middling success, but Universal gave Williams a seven-year contract anyway. No one seemed to know why, but Williams turned his back on Universal and never made another movie.
Williams knew his career was in his voice, and so did Elvis.
29. He Did It Better Than The King
In 1968, Andy Williams released his version of Elvis Presley’s ballad “Can’t Help Falling In Love”. When Presley heard Williams’ more “up-tempo” version, he thought it was better than his own. Presley copied Williams’ lighter version and stopped performing it as a ballad.
Williams was knocking it out of the park—but back at home, his wife was suffering.
Unknown authorUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons
30. He Was Now The Shadow
While Williams' career continued to take off, Longet had to settle for having kids. The two had three kids in total, and Williams managed to get his wife on his TV show a few times. But now it seemed like Longet was living under Williams’ shadow, much like Williams had done under Thompson’s shadow. It looked like history was repeating itself.
But then everything changed.
31. They Had Some Influential Friends
Williams’ wife Longet was starting to find her feet as a musician and actor apart from her well-connected husband. Now that they were both A-listers, they'd made some influential friends. One couple they double-dated with was Senator Robert F Kennedy and his wife, Ethel. The name Kennedy is often connected with scandal, and this story is no exception.
32. He Shared A Secret With Kennedy
On June 4, 1968, Williams and Longet had tentative plans to go clubbing with the Kennedys. Before they could go, Robert and Ethel had to attend the Democratic Party presidential primary. Kennedy made a strange arrangement. To let Williams and Longet know if the plans were a go, he would make a hand gesture while on screen. Williams and Longet watched the TV closely to see whether the night out would come to fruition.
What happened next was something no one could’ve predicted.
Kennedy for President Committee, Wikimedia Commons
33. They Heard Something Scary
Williams and Longet were actually watching TV in the same hotel where the primary was happening. As the clock approached midnight, Williams and Longet saw Kennedy make the secret signal—right after he concluded his speech. They started getting ready for their night out. But that’s when they heard some loud bangs.
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34. It Was The Worst News Possible
Williams and Longet heard what sounded like gunfire, and it sounded like it was right at the same hotel where they were watching TV. Williams rushed to see what had happened and, to his horror, discovered that his good friend had been shot. Longet and Williams rushed to the hospital, where the senator tragically passed.
It was time to mourn for a lost friend.
Charles A. Pomerantz, public relations, Wikimedia Commons
35. He Held Back The Tears
Williams had to think of a way to honor the friend he’d lost. He remembered that Kennedy was a terrible singer, but he loved the song “Battle Hymn of the Republic". To honor Kennedy, Williams sang the song at his funeral and had to fight back the tears. He later said he couldn't even think about Kennedy while he sang.
But Williams wasn't finished honoring Kennedy.
36. They Used His Name
Years later, Williams and Longet decided they needed to honor their fallen friend. When they had their third son, they named him after Kennedy. Robert Williams grew up to also be involved in movie making. He’s a stuntman. Robert ended up in a relationship with Mariel Hemingway, whose grandfather, Ernest Hemingway, also came to a sad end.
Williams’ marriage survived the loss of Kennedy, but it was in trouble anyway.
37. The Age Gap Became A Problem
The age difference between Williams and Longet began to matter more as time wore on. Longet played tennis with edgy people like Peter Fonda. Williams, on the other hand, preferred the gentler sport of golf with older guys like Bing Crosby. Longet later called Williams “boring”.
The shelf life of this marriage was about to expire.
38. It Ended Mysteriously
From the outside, it looked like Williams and Longet had a perfect marriage. So, in 1970, when they announced their separation, it came as a shock. The parting couple said that the separation was completely amicable, and that they would continue to raise their three kids together.
While the marriage was over, the story about these two was just getting started.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
39. He Grew Close To His Friend's Widow
Just before the end of Williams’ marriage, some rumors began wafting around. Williams had been spending a lot of time with Robert Kennedy’s grieving widow, Ethel Kennedy. Some thought they were spending a little too much time together. Both Williams and Kennedy denied any romance between the two, but some saw it as the reason for the split between Williams and Longet.
True or not, the friendliness of his separation was about to face an enormous challenge.
Photographer not credited, Wikimedia Commons
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40. He Got A Distressing Call
After she separated from Williams, Longet dated superstar skier—and eligible bachelor—Spider Sabich. They got close enough that Longet took Williams’ three kids and moved to Aspen to be with Sabich. But then Williams received the most horrifying news imaginable. There was big trouble over in Aspen, and Longet needed him more than she ever had.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
41. His Ex Was In Deep Trouble
Williams' ex-wife had fatally fired at her new boyfriend, and authorities were charging her with manslaughter. Williams and Longet had parted on good terms, so Williams didn’t hesitate. He got on a plane and went directly to Aspen. He would need to be there for Longet emotionally and financially.
This trial was going to be a doozy.
42. He Stood By Her
Williams stood by his ex-wife through the media frenzy that her trial became. Not only was he footing the bill for the lawyer, but he was also at her side each day as she made her way to the courthouse. Williams also spoke to the judge and to the media as a character witness for Longet. The evidence against Longet was mounting, and it didn’t look good.
Even with Williams’ money and fame, it looked like Longet was heading for incarceration.
43. He Found Her A Powerful Defense
Williams must have hired the best lawyer in the business because Longet walked away with the most lenient sentence. She paid a measly fine of $250 and received a sentence of just 30 days, which she had the choice of serving on weekends. Clearly, the lawyer that Williams had paid for, Ron Austin, had done his job well.
This story should end there, but the drama was just getting started.
44. His Money Brought Them Together
Williams had paid for excellent defense for his ex-wife Longet, but what she did next surprised everyone. She and her lawyer packed their bags and went on a romantic holiday together in Mexico. So let’s get this straight. Williams paid for a lawyer to keep his ex-wife from a life behind bars. Then she ran off with the lawyer.
But Longet wasn’t finished with the strange decisions.
45. She Married Her Lawyer
It’s not exactly clear how Williams felt about Longet dating the lawyer he’d paid for. Making the matter a little worse was the fact that Longet was breaking up Austin’s marriage. Eventually, Longet married her lawyer and then made another surprising decision. They set up house in Aspen, a place where most people still believed she’d ended the life of her boyfriend—on purpose.
Williams needed to distance himself from this circus and see if he still had a career left.
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46. His Career Was Losing Steam
The beginning of the 1990s saw a decline in Williams’ popularity. He was not welcoming any new fans, and he knew he had to do something to save his sinking ship. He took a huge risk and invested $12 million in the Andy Williams Moon River Theater. He wisely kept the name of his signature song in the name just in case people forgot who he was.
But there was one thing he did that seemed really unwise.
Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images
47. He Took A Gamble On A Theater
When selecting the location of the Andy Williams Moon River Theater, Williams made a gamble that raised eyebrows. He chose to put it in Branson, Missouri. The thing about Branson was that it was almost exclusively dedicated to country music. Williams was the first non-country performer, and he was taking a huge risk.
48. He Put This Town On The Map
As it turned out, the folks in Branson were hungry for something different, and they fully embraced Williams. In fact, Williams transformed Branson into a “booming, live-music capital”. This also gave his career the boost it needed. With a new sense of optimism, Williams turned his focus on love.
Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images
49. He Found Love Again
In 1991, Williams ventured down the aisle one last time with 36-year-old Debbie Haas. He brought his bride down to Branson, and this was the place where Williams spent his remaining days. In 2011, Williams announced to a stunned audience that he had bladder cancer. By the next year, he had passed. They sprinkled his ashes on the Moon River that he’d installed at his theater.
How we remember Williams depends on your point of view.
Ron Galella, Ltd., Getty Images
50. He Was Cool In His Own Way
Williams may not have had a reputation for being “cool," but he did have his moments. He stood up for John Lennon when Richard Nixon was trying to deport him. He also collected art by “cool” artists like Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock. Williams showed his funny side when he appeared on The Simpsons, where he reduced notorious bully Nelson Muntz to tears by singing “Moon River”.
James Arnold - PA Images, Getty Images
51. He Owned This Holiday
Over the years, Williams released more than just a few Holiday albums and made a colossal hit with “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year”. He’d also done more than his share of Christmas TV specials. Music lovers so associated him with the holiday season that he got a nickname: “Mr Christmas”.
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