Anecdotes

He substituted for Sebastian Cabot, as the gentleman's gentleman, or butler, for Brian Keith's Bill Davis character, in the sitcom Cher oncle Bill (1966). This was during Cabot's eight episode leave of absence (plus one overlapping episode, where they both appeared) from the program, after Cabot developed pneumonia in 1967. Williams portrayed the part of Mr. Giles French's brother, Nigel ("Niles") French.

He served with the British Royal Air Force during World War II.

Won Broadway's 1953 Tony Award as Best Supporting or Featured Actor (Dramatic) for "Dial M for Murder," a role that he recreated in the film version of the same name, Le crime était presque parfait (1954).

Outside of his movie career, he gained fame as the star of a television commercial for a set of records of classical music, "120 Music Masterpieces." This became the longest running nationally broadcast commercial in U.S. television history, running for almost 14 years, from 1971-1984. The commercial was ultimately phased out as compact discs replaced vinyl phonograph records, still airing more than one year after Williams death on May 5, 1983.

Tall, urbane, mustachioed British character actor from the London stage who made his Broadway debut as Clifford Hope in "The Fake," by Frederick Lonsdale, in 1924, resettling in the U.S. soon after. Williams last Broadway role was as David Bliss in "Hay Fever," by Noël Coward in 1970.

Made his debut on the London stage in 1916 as young John in a production of "Peter Pan," by J.M. Barrie, and made his debut on the Broadway stage eight years later, in 1924, as Clifford Hope, in "The Fake," by Frederick Lonsdale.

In addition to the Tony Award, he also won the Donaldson and New York Drama Critics award for "Dial M for Murder," which he recreated on film and in a TV adaptation.

Was married to his wife for just shy of a half-century. He passed away soon after their 49th anniversary.

Attended Lancing College at the same time as English author Evelyn Waugh.

Attended Lancing College, an independent day and boarding high school, educating students aged 13-18, and located at Lancing, West Sussex BN15 0RW, England, United Kingdom. At the time that Williams attended Lancing, it was a boys only school, it became co-ed in 1970.