Edy Williams

When we think of the term "worse for wear", somehow provocative images of 39-26-37 Edwina Beth Williams (better known as 'Edy Williams' (qv)) and her outrageous apparel at film festivals and award shows instantly stand out in one's mind. You have to admit that this wild child, who has now come into her seventies (born on July 9, 1941), can never be accused of being a shrinking violet or not giving her all to her chosen profession.Born in Salt Lake City, Utah, this courageous perennial starlet grew up in all sorts of ways in southern California. She first began her career chasing after modeling work with local photographers while in her teens and has not slowed down since. An undeniably fetching and voluptuous presence, she was the recipient of several California beauty titles which led to her eventual signing by 20th Century-Fox in the early 1960s.Known for her untamed chestnut hair, she displayed her talents initially with taunting, decorative roles in such pictures as _For Love or Money (1963)_ (qv), _Man's Favorite Sport? (1964)_ (qv), _A House Is Not a Home (1964)_ (qv) (in which she and fellow glamazon 'Raquel Welch' (qv) played call girls), _The Naked Kiss (1964)_ (qv), the 'Elvis Presley' (qv) musical _Paradise, Hawaiian Style (1966)_ (qv) and _Nevada Smith (1966)_ (qv) starring 'Steve McQueen' (qv). Television utilized her as sexy scenery or a vapid foil on such series as _The Twilight Zone (1959)_ (qv), _The Beverly Hillbillies (1962)_ (qv), _Burke's Law (1963)_ (qv) and _Batman (1966)_ (qv).In her more mainstream prime, Edy earned second-femme lead status next to 'James Farentino' (qv), 'Julie Sommars' (qv) and 'Brian Bedford' (qv) in the teasing comedy _The Pad (and How to Use It) (1966)_ (qv) and 'Walter Matthau' (qv) and 'Anne Jackson' (qv) in _The Secret Life of an American Wife (1968)_ (qv), but things changed big-time once she associated with producer-director 'Russ Meyer' (qv), her mentor-turned-husband. She was displayed front-and-center as a predatory porn star in his campy softcore erotica _Beyond the Valley of the Dolls (1970)_ (qv) and _The Seven Minutes (1971)_ (qv), but in the end he failed to make her anything but a cult figure.She and Meyer divorced in 1975, and since then she has been more or less promoting herself. The notorious publicity hound who could make even 'Jayne Mansfield' (qv) wince a little, Edy has made annual cheesecake appearances (not usually in a positive way), opting for jaw-dropping bordello-chic formal wear to get the flashbulbs popping at entertainment events. Her scanty gowns have earned her numerous worst-dressed awards from here to Timbuktu. In later years, she has occasionally departed exploitation with roles in such films as _Chained Heat (1983)_ (qv), _Lady Lust (1984)_ (qv), _Hollywood Hot Tubs (1984)_ (qv), _Nudity Required (1990)_ (qv), _Bad Girls from Mars (1990)_ (qv) and _Snatch Masters 6 (1995)_ (qv). You have to give her credit or praise, 'Edy Williams' (qv) certainly succeeded her way.::Gary Brumburgh / [email protected]