Megan Mingyu Williams[1] (11 September 1956 – 17 April 2000) was an Australian actress and singer, who played a continuing role as Alice Sullivan in the television drama The Sullivans, and won a Logie Award for her work in Anzacs (1985).[2]
Early years
Williams was born in London, England, to David and Chin Yu Williams who appeared in a West End production of South Pacific.[3] Her mother was described as "half-Chinese".[4] At six months old, Williams had a minor TV role as an abandoned baby on The Adventures of Robin Hood. Williams' family moved to Sydney, Australia, where she pursued an acting career.
Career
Actor
Williams' first major role was as an ongoing lead, Ann Watson, in the daily soap operaClass of '74 (1974).[5][6] The long running role of Alice Watkins Sullivan in The Sullivans (1978-1982) followed. A guest role as Carol Canning in The Outsiders (1976) episode 10 "Charlie Cole Esq." (broadcast 1977) had her appearing in a bikini.[7] After The Sullivans ended she continued to act on Australian television, with a guest role in ABC drama-musical series Sweet and Sour (1984), a Logie Award winning role as Kate Baker in the miniseries Anzacs (1985),[8] and an ongoing role of Cassie Jones in Return to Eden (1986). In the late 1980s she worked in the UK, appearing in one episode of British soap opera EastEnders (1989). Williams had a minor role in the movie Nightmare Man (1999).
Williams appeared in an Australian production of Cats as Grizzabella.
She appeared in the Australian comedy series All Together Now, which starred Jon English, as an electrician called Julie in the episode titled "I've Got to Be Me" (Season 3 - Episode 3).
Megan Williams appeared in the Film Clip of "The Queen and Me" with Mondo Rock (1982). Williams provided backing vocals for "Flame Trees" on Cold Chisel'sTwentieth Century (1984). John Prior (drummer with Matt Finish) wrote songs for Williams in the mid-1980s.[9]
Pilates teacher
Williams was instrumental in bringing Pilates to Australia, as she was doing exercise/rehab for Sydney Dance Company and others. She was one of the founders of The Australian Pilates Method Association.[10]
Personal life
Williams was in a de facto relationship with Cold Chisel singer-guitarist Ian Moss for 11 years, before they separated in the 1990s.
Williams had an operation for breast cancer in 1997; however, the disease was diagnosed again in December 1999. She died at Darlinghurst Sacred Heart Hospice, Sydney, on 17 April 2000, aged 43.[3][1]
^"Matt Finish resurrected". Hotsource: Wendy Lloyd Curley & Susan Stanbridge. 30 November 2006. Archived from the original on 4 September 2012. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
