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American singer and television host renowned for his smooth baritone voice and annual Christmas specials.Andy Williams rose to fame in the 1950s as a member of The Williams Brothers quartet before launching a massively successful solo career. He recorded 18 Gold and 3 Platinum albums, hosted the Emmy-winning 'The Andy Williams Show' (1962–1971), and popularized 'Moon River' as his signature song. His Christmas albums and specials remain cultural touchstones.

• His brothers initially overshadowed him in The Williams Brothers, but Andy's persistence led to solo stardom after the group disbanded.
• Williams was closely tied to the Kennedy family; he sang at President John F. Kennedy's inauguration and Robert F. Kennedy's funeral.
• He pioneered Branson, Missouri's entertainment scene by opening the Andy Williams Moon River Theatre in 1992, boosting the town's economy.
• Despite two divorces, he found lasting happiness with his second wife, Debbie Haas, whom he remarried in 1991 after their initial 1972 divorce.
• He battled bladder cancer for a year before dying at age 84; his ashes were scattered at his Iowa childhood home.