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Cindy Williams (born August 22, 1947) is an American actress, perhaps best known for her portrayal, from 1976 until 1982, of loyal and fun-loving brewery worker Shirley Feeney in the sitcom Laverne & Shirley. She also starred in the 1973 film American Graffiti and in the short-lived 1993-1994 sitcom Getting By. She also guest starred along with fellow sitcom vet John Ratzenberger (Cheers) in two episodes of the late John Ritter’s sitcom 8 Simple Rules.

She’s 59!

Williams was born in the Van Nuys district of Los Angeles, California. She graduated from Birmingham High School in Van Nuys and went to Los Angeles City College.

Cindy Williams has enjoyed the privilege of working with extraordinary directors, including Francis Ford Coppola, George Lucas, and George Cukor.

A woman of many talents, Cindy had the honor of co-producing the critically acclaimed feature films, Father of the Bride and Father of the Bride II, both starring Steve Martin.

Cindy’s theatre credits include starring with Elliott Gould in the national tour of Death Trap, and portraying “Charlotte Hay” in Moon Over Buffalo. Most recently, while filming recurring roles on the Warner Bros series For Your Love and on the Comedy Central series Strip Mall, Cindy starred as “Miss Lynch” in the national tour of Grease.

Born in Van Nuys, California, Cindy first became interested in acting during high school. After graduation, she attended L.A. City College where she majored in Theater Arts. After college she began her professional career by landing National commercials, which included Foster Grant sunglasses and TWA.

Her first rolls in television, among others, were on Room 222, Nanny and the Professor. and Love American Style. Her first film role was for Roger Corman in Gassss, starring Talia Shire, Ben Vereen and Bud Cort. She then appeared with Maggie Smith in Travels With My Aunt, directed by George Cukor. Next she co-starred with Ron Howard, Richard Dreyfuss, and Harrison Ford in American Graffiti directed by George Lucas, a low-budget film which went on to become a box office smash and film classic, and which garnered her a British Academy of Film and Television Arts nomination for best supporting actress.

Following American Graffiti Cindy was cast in a pivotal role in Francis Ford Coppola’s The Conversation, starring Gene Hackman. About this time, she felt her theatre roots calling and auditioned for and was made a member of The Actor’s Studio.

Cindy is a child advocate who supports organizations including Feed the Children, and The National Safe Kids Council. She also supports organizations such as the American Humane Society and the SPCA.

Other August 22nd Birthdays:

Morton Dean-ABC Newsman (71)
Valerie Harper-Actress (66)
Roland Orzabal-Singer/Tears For Fears (45)
Debbi Peterson-Rock Musician/The Bangles (45)
Tori Amos-Singer (43)
Howie Dorough-Singer/Backstreet Boys (33)
Jenna Leigh Green-Actress (32)