Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Legendary Singer Andy Williams Has Died At 84
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 26, 2012
Modified Sep 26, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Sep 26, 2012
Modified Sep 26, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Andy Williams—born Howard Andrew Williams in 1927—died yesterday at his home in Branson, Missouri. Williams was 84 and had been battling bladder cancer, which he announced he had on the stage of his Moon River Theater in 2011.
Williams opened that theater in Branson in 1992, and named it after the song that propelled him to fame in the early 1960s. At that time, Williams had just moved to New York City, making solo appearances at various clubs, as well as on Steve Allen's Tonight Show (here is Williams talking about that time). From there he got a record deal with Columbia; landed his own show, The Andy Williams Show, on NBC; and even performed "Moon River" at the Academy Awards in 1962, at Henry Mancini's prompting.
Throughout his career, he took home 17 gold and 3 platinum records. He sang at the funeral of Robert F. Kennedy (a close friend, even though Williams was a lifelong Republican), and in 1968, Columbia released those two songs: "Ave Maria" and "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." And of course, Williams was the favorite crooner of one Nelson Muntz, as David Itzkoff recalls.
Williams eventually began splitting his time between California and Missouri, where he was at the time of his death. He is survived by his second wife Debbie Williams, and three children. Here are some other hits from Williams that you may recongnize:
And with Tony Bennett:
And WITH KERMIT!:
Tagged
andy williams
death
moon river
RIP
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
Before they attempt to fend off LeBron James and the 76ers on Tuesday, the Knicks will have a chance to show off their winning mentality through their tunnel fits.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 19, 2026
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Arts & Entertainment
Will Barnes and Noble in the East Village spell doom for smaller shops? It's complicated.
Independent booksellers are grappling with whether the big-box chain is a threat or an ally in the fight against Amazon.
By
Sonia Rao
Can eligible NYC singles find love with 30 minutes and some really spicy food?
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
James Ramsay
How the NYC Marathon has changed in the last 50 years
By
Hannah Frishberg
A visit to Art of Play, the Brooklyn store in an animatronic bird beef with Kelly Clarkson
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .