Step Brothers’ Al Williams Dies at 74
Al Williams, 74, who formed and starred as one of the famed dancing Step Brothers, a quartet that entertained in theater, film and television for more than 30 years, died Friday.
Williams, 74, a resident of Sherman Oaks, died at Rancho Encino Hospital. The cause of death was not immediately disclosed.
The Step Brothers, which Williams formed in 1926, appeared in 28 movies and often were guests on the Bob Hope, Milton Berle, Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin television shows.
In its early years, the dancing team played the Cotton Club and the Apollo and Lafayette theaters in New York.
It was featured with Duke Ellington’s band from 1933 to 1959, and in the late 1940s the group gave a command performance for the King of England and played Chez Paris with the legendary Josephine Baker.
After the act closed in 1959, Williams became a manager. His performers included Sarah Vaughan and Scatman Crothers.
Williams is survived by a son, Joel, a dancer in Los Angeles.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday at Forest Lawn Memorial-Park, Hollywood Hills. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to the Hoofers Club in Sherman Oaks.
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