Making his singing debut at age 8 in the Williams Brothers Quartet, he launched a solo career in 1952. Lauded for his soothing baritone, the Iowa native felt he was off to a slow start early on—and he was right.
After becoming a regular on Steve Allen's Tonight Show in 1954, Williams decided to create his own television variety show—appropriately naming it The Andy Williams Show.
When it was picked up by NBC in 1962, The Andy Williams Show quickly became a fixture in American households, not only for its musical performances, but also for its wacky comedy skits.
Winner of three Emmy awards, the show played host to a wealth of celebrities. Here, Williams poses with fellow Cadence era-labelmates, the Everly Brothers.
By the mid-1960s Andy Williams was one of America's most popular singers, with major hits like “Moon River,” “Days of Wines and Roses,” and “Love Story” topping the charts. Here, Williams is seen with popular singer and actress at the time, Lena Horne.
Frank Carroll, NBCU Photo Bank / Getty Images
Remaining on the air until 1971, The Andy Williams Show's success was due in part to its hilarious cast of comedic visitors—such as pioneering female comedian Phyllis Diller.
After meeting in Las Vegas, where the French-born dancer Claudine Longet was working at the Folies Bergere, the two were married in 1961.
Named for the late senator Robert Kennedy, Claudine and Andy christened their third child Robert Andrew Williams.
On the ninth anniversary of their wedding, Andy and Claudine performed together on a Christmas show. Rumored to have already separated at this point, the two made their divorce final in 1975.
Williams's career continued to flourish well into the 1970s. Here, he's seen at a concert in Madrid, Spain.
Still a central figure in the American pop-culture scene, Williams appeared in the 1983 special Christmas in Washington alongside Julio Iglesias, President Ronald Reagan, and first lady Nancy Reagan.
Arguably one of America's most beloved vocalists, Williams performs during the 40th Annual Songwriters Hall of Fame Ceremony in New York.
His 2009 performance in London—singing “Moon River”—signaled the final phase of his career. Diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2011, he succumbed to the disease Tuesday at the age of 84.
