As a young child, Williams began his journey in the world of acting by participating in summer stock productions. Following his graduation from high school, he took a four-year detour, serving in the Air Force. Upon his return to New York, he enrolled in acting classes with the renowned Lee Strasberg, a move that would prove to be a pivotal moment in his career.
Williams' early professional endeavors included minor Broadway roles and appearances on live TV dramas. One of these roles caught the attention of a talent agent, leading him to sign with Universal Studios in 1956. The studio promptly cast him in several supporting roles, with Written on the Wind (1956) being one of his most notable performances as the charismatic gas-station stud.
However, it was his starring role in The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957) that truly cemented his status as a leading actor. Director Jack Arnold praised Williams' performance, stating that he delivered an Oscar-worthy performance due to his remarkable ability to imagine his surroundings and fellow actors in special-effects scenes.
In 1959, Williams made the transition to Warner Brothers, where he landed a starring role in the popular TV series Hawaiian Eye. Although his career continued to flourish in the early 1960s, it eventually began to fade. His final appearance may have been on a Family Feud episode in 1983, which featured other alumni from Hawaiian Eye.
Throughout his life, Williams remained a bachelor, and he passed away in 1985, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile actor.
