Zelda Williams

{{Short description|American actress and director (born 1989)}}

{{Use American English|date=July 2022}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2015}}

{{Infobox person

| name = Zelda Williams

| image = Zelda_Williams_Outkast_Red_Carpet_(22702108417)_(cropped).jpg

| caption = Williams in 2015

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|mf=yes|1989|7|31}}

|birth_name = Zelda Rae Williams

| birth_place = New York City, U.S.

| occupation = {{Hlist|Actress|director|producer|writer}}

| years_active = 1994–present

| father = Robin Williams

| mother = Marsha Garces Williams

}}

Zelda Rae Williams (born July 31, 1989){{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/zeldawilliams/status/491345980801830913|title=So Jackson Heywood...|publisher=Zelda Williams verified Twitter page|date=July 21, 2014|access-date= September 2, 2014|quote=I turn 25 on the 31st.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217223917/https://twitter.com/zeldawilliams/status/491345980801830913|archive-date=2014-12-17}} is an American actress and director. She is the daughter of actor Robin Williams and film producer Marsha Garces Williams. As a voice actress, she is best known for voicing Kuvira in the Nickelodeon series The Legend of Korra.

Early life

Williams was born in New York City to Robin and Marsha Garces Williams. Her father stated that he named her after Princess Zelda from The Legend of Zelda video game series. Her mother is of Filipino and Finnish descent. Zelda, the older of Williams' children by his second wife, has a younger brother and an older half-brother.

Career

Williams made her acting debut at age five. At 15, she acted in the 2004 film House of D opposite her father and actor Anton Yelchin as the latter's young first love, Melissa Loggia.

In June 2011, Zelda and Robin Williams were featured in a television commercial for the Nintendo 3DS game The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 3D. On October 25, 2011, she was the special guest host at the London Zelda Symphony Concert at the Hammersmith Apollo, marking the 25th anniversary of The Legend of Zelda franchise.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UZrUY19O2o |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/1UZrUY19O2o |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Zelda Williams "Hyrule!" Zelda's 25th Anniversary Symphony London|date=2011-10-26|website=YouTube|last=Laith|first=Waquel}}{{cbignore}} On November 17, 2011, subscribers to Nintendo emails received an email of her and her father playing The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword for the Wii console.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDY3UJWiAcw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/JDY3UJWiAcw |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword: Robin & Zelda Williams commercial|website=via YouTube}}{{cbignore}} She appears in an interview with Nintendo representatives in which she says that one of her favorite things to do in her free time is play Super Smash Bros. Melee with her friends, always playing as the character Sheik.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aHVdKxhD6UA |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/aHVdKxhD6UA |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=[E3 2011] Zelda Williams at the Nintendo Booth|website=via YouTube|date=June 12, 2011 }}{{cbignore}}

She appeared in People magazine's 100 Most Beautiful People issue for 2007. She appears in the Wynter Gordon music video for "Buy My Love"{{Citation|title=Wynter Gordon - Buy My Love [Official Video] {{!}}{{!}}{{!}} AVAILABLE NOW ON NEON {{!}}{{!}}{{!}}| date=September 12, 2011 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGBdlqLl1BU|language=en|access-date=2021-07-29}} and has a cameo in the Cobra Starship music video "You Make Me Feel", alongside her father.

In 2018, Williams wrote and directed the short film Shrimp, which she also starred in alongside Conor Leslie, Paulina Singer, Frances Fisher, and Jake Abel. The film depicts the lives of dominatrices in a Los Angeles BDSM den. Williams later entered into a deal with Gunpowder & Sky to develop the short film into a half-hour series.{{cite web|title=Zelda Williams 'Shrimp' Short About BDSM Scene to Become Half-Hour Series With Gunpowder & Sky|url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/zelda-williams-shrimp-series-gunpowder-sky-1203023791/ |website=Variety|first=Todd |last=Spangler |date=November 9, 2018 |access-date=June 27, 2019}}

She directed the 2024 film Lisa Frankenstein, her feature-length debut.{{cite web

| url =https://www.indiewire.com/gallery/female-filmmakers-to-watch-2023/netflix-fysee-hosts-varietys-storytellers-event/

| title =28 Rising Female Filmmakers to Watch in 2023

| last =Bergenson

| first =Samantha

| date =2023-03-08

| publisher = Indie Wire

| access-date =2024-04-16}}

Personal life

Williams has described herself as an avid athlete{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}} and video game player, and a fan of her namesake The Legend of Zelda series. She has stated that The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask is her favorite game and voiced support of its release on the Nintendo 3DS by supporting the fan campaign Operation Moonfall.{{cite tweet|last=Williams|first=Zelda|user=zeldawilliams|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130012040/https://twitter.com/zeldawilliams/status/105126254738554880|number=105126254738554880|date=August 20, 2011|archive-date=November 30, 2017|title=So wanted to tweet one out to the @opmoonfall folks. Majora's Mask is my favorite Zelda game, I'd love a 3D version! #FightOnGuys}}

From 2013 until 2016, Williams dated actor Jackson Heywood.{{cite AV media|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bgj8dQzFow4 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/Bgj8dQzFow4 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|title=Zelda Williams Live Chat - TORN Tuesdays|date=March 26, 2014|access-date=April 7, 2016|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} She is openly bisexual.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/13/dead-summer-zelda-williams-transgender-drew/|title=Zelda Williams on 'Dead of Summer,' transgender character, her father, Robin Williams|date=July 13, 2016|magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}

Acting credits

=Film=

class="wikitable sortable"
YearTitleRoleclass="unsortable" | Notes

!Ref.

1995Nine MonthsLittle Girl #3 in Ballet Class|
2004House of DMelissa Loggia|
2008Were the World MineFrankie|
2009Don't Look UpMatya|
rowspan = "4" | 2010LusterVictor Curruthers|
DetentionSara|
See You on the Other SideZoey Meolarowspan = "3" | Short film

|

Jezuz Loves ChaztityChaztity

|

2011Stupid QuestionsLucy

|{{Citation |title=STUPID QUESTIONS (Starring Zelda Williams) | date=November 27, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_uVFJ99HvM |access-date=2023-08-20 |language=en}}

rowspan = "2" | 2012The Frankenstein BrothersKelly MartinsonAlso known as A Beer Tale

|

NoobzRickie|{{Cite web |last=Gencarelli |first=Mike |date=2013-01-28 |title=Zelda Williams talks about the film "Noobz" and her love for video games |url=https://mediamikes.com/2013/01/zelda-williams-talks-about-the-film-noobz-and-her-love-for-video-games/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=MediaMikes |language=en-US}}
rowspan = "2" | 2014NeverNikki|{{Cite web |last=Busch |first=Anita |date=2016-07-15 |title=Zelda Williams' Feature 'Never' Gets August Release Via Indican Pictures |url=https://deadline.com/2016/07/zelda-williams-robin-williams-daughter-movie-never-release-1201787251/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}
Maddie MoonwaterMaddierowspan = "2" | Short film

|

2016Meet CuteAndy

|

rowspan="3" | 2018Locating Silver LakeElla|
ShrimpJessAlso director, producer and writer

|{{Cite web |last1=Schwartz |first1=Dana |date=September 27, 2018 |title=Zelda Williams exposes the mundane lives of dominatrixes in 'Shrimp' |url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/09/27/zelda-williams-shrimp-pilot/ |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

A Patch of Desert

|{{N/a}}

|Short film

|{{Citation |title=A Patch Of Desert | date=October 30, 2021 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EtL3hAqXJPY |access-date=2023-08-20 |language=en}}

2020

|A Disagreement About Flies

|Lydia

|Short film

|{{Cite web |last=Shortverse |title=A Disagreement About Flies |url=https://www.shortverse.com/films/a-disagreement-about-flies?tab=press |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Shortverse |language=en}}

2022

|Julius Caesar Live!

|Portia, Soothsayer

|

|{{Citation |title=Julius Caesar Live! | date=March 15, 2022 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=939kGeniP6w |access-date=2023-08-20 |language=en}}

=Television=

class="wikitable sortable"
YearTitleRoleclass="unsortable" | Notes

!Ref.

1994In Search of Dr. SeussDaughterTelevision film

|

2012Checked OutMarissaMain role; 4 episodes

|

2013–2014Teen WolfCaitlinRecurring role; Episodes "Fireflies" and "Illuminated"

|{{Cite web |title=Zelda Williams, daughter of Robin Williams, joins 'Teen Wolf' for season 3 : Hypable |url=https://www.hypable.com/zelda-williams-robin-williams-teen-wolf-season-3/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |language=en-US}}

rowspan = "2" | 2014Chaotic AwesomeEpisode: #1.12

|

The Legend of KorraKuviraRecurring voice role; 11 episodes

|{{cite web |title=Zelda Williams (visual voices guide) |url=http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Zelda-Williams/ |access-date=May 26, 2025 |publisher=Behind The Voice Actors}} A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.

2015–2017Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesY'Gythgba / Mona LisaRecurring voice role; 5 episodes

|

rowspan="4" | 2016Dead of SummerDrew ReevesMain role; 10 episodes

|{{Cite web |last1=Snierson |first1=Dan |date=July 8, 2016 |title=Zelda Williams on 'Dead of Summer,' her transgender character, and her father, Robin Williams |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/07/08/zelda-williams-dead-summer-transgender-drew-robin-williams/ |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

Chelsea

|Herself

|Talk show

|{{Cite web |last1=Maslow |first1=Nick |date=August 17, 2016 |title=Robin Williams' daughter Zelda opens up about coping with his death |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/08/17/robin-williams-zelda-chelsea-handler-interview/ |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

Girl in the BoxJanice HookerTelevision film

|{{Cite web |last1=Nolfi |first1=Joey |date=August 3, 2016 |title=Zelda Williams is a maniacal abductress in 'Girl in the Box' trailer — exclusive |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/08/03/girl-box-zelda-williams-lifetime-trailer/ |access-date=August 20, 2023 |website=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}

Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed

|Herself

|Documentary

|{{Cite web |title=Cast & Crew |url=https://unlockedtvshow.com/cast-crew/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Unlocked: The World of Games, Revealed |language=en-US}}

rowspan="2" | 2017StitchersZeldaEpisode: "The Gremlin and the Fixer"

|{{Cite web |date=2017-07-13 |title=EXCLUSIVE: Zelda Williams Gets Her Flirt On In 'Stitchers' Sneak Peek {{!}} Entertainment Tonight |url=https://www.etonline.com/news/221340_exclusive_zelda_williams_gets_her_flirt_on_in_stitchers_sneak_peek |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.etonline.com |language=en-US}}

Criminal MindsMelissa MillerEpisode: "False Flag"

|{{Cite web |title=Best Female Guest Star |url=http://criminalmindshub.weebly.com/best-female-guest-star.html |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Criminal Minds Hub |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2022-03-11 |title=The Biggest Mistake Dr. Lewis Ever Made On Criminal Minds |url=https://www.looper.com/795639/the-biggest-mistake-dr-lewis-ever-made-on-criminal-minds/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Looper |language=en-US}}

rowspan="2" | 2019Dark/WebCheshireEpisode: "Chapter Three"; also director, producer and writer

|{{Cite web |date=2019-07-11 |title=Dark/Web Trailer Reveals Amazon's Terrifying Tech Age Anthology Series |url=https://collider.com/dark-web-trailer-amazon/ |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=Collider |language=en}}

Jane the VirginLeonaEpisode: "Chapter Eighty-Seven"

|

2019–2020Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesFoot Recruit/Cassandra 'Casey' JonesRecurring voice role

|

2024

|Transformers: EarthSpark

|Spitfire

|Recurring voice role; 6 episodes

|

=Music videos=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Artist

! Role

! {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

2011

|"You Make Me Feel..."

|Cobra Starship

|

|{{Cite web |date=2011-09-04 |title=Photo Booth Fun In Cobra Starship's New "You Make Me Feel…" Video - Popdust |url=https://www.popdust.com/2011/06/28/photobooth-fun-in-cobra-starships-new-you-make-me-feel-video/ |access-date=2023-06-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904045839/https://www.popdust.com/2011/06/28/photobooth-fun-in-cobra-starships-new-you-make-me-feel-video/ |archive-date=September 4, 2011 }}

2013

|"I Believed In God"

|Danko Jones

|Woman

|{{Citation |title=Danko Jones - I Believed In God (Official Music Video) | date=April 16, 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLjwYpyGDZI |access-date=2023-07-12 |language=en}}

2014

| "Imagine" {{small|(UNICEF: World version)}}

| Various

| Herself

| style="text-align: center;"| {{cite web|last=Rowles|first=Dustin|date=2014-11-21|title='Imagine' Gets the Star-Studded 'We Are The World' Treatment for UNICEF|url=https://www.pajiba.com/videos/imagine-gets-the-starstudded-we-are-the-world-treatment-for-unicef.php|access-date=2021-05-24|website=Pajiba}}

=Video games=

class="wikitable sortable"
Year

! Title

! Voice role

! Notes

2016King's Quest - Chapter III: Once Upon A ClimbAmaya Blackstone{{Cite web|last=Saed|first=Sherif|date=2015-05-11|title=King's Quest cast includes Back to the Future's Christopher Lloyd, Zelda Williams - watch|url=https://www.vg247.com/2015/05/11/new-kings-quest-voice-cast-reveal-trailer/|access-date=2021-07-23|website=VG247|language=en-US}}
2022

|The Last Worker

|Emma

|{{Cite web |title=The Last Worker adds Zelda Williams to its cast |url=https://www.pockettactics.com/the-last-worker/cast |access-date=2022-04-20 |website=Pocket Tactics |date=April 19, 2022 |language=en-GB}}

Filmmaking credits

=Film=

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Director

! scope="col" | Writer

! scope="col" | Producer

! scope="col" class=unsortable | Notes

scope="row" | 2018

| Shrimp

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

| {{yes}}

|Also actor

scope="row" | 2020

| Kappa Kappa Die

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

|

scope="row" | 2024

| Lisa Frankenstein

| {{yes}}

| {{no}}

| {{no}}

|

=Music videos=

class="wikitable"
Year

! Title

! Artist

! Role

! {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}

2016

|"Save My Soul"

|JoJo

| rowspan="6" |Director

|{{Cite magazine |last=Polanco |first=Luis |date=2016-01-08 |title=Watch JoJo's Emotional Video for 'Save My Soul,' Directed by Zelda Williams |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/jojo-save-my-soul-video-zelda-williams-directed-6836397/ |access-date=2023-07-12 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}

2018

|"Invisible"

| rowspan="3" |Anna Clendening

|{{Citation |title=Anna Clendening - The Making of "Invisible" with Zelda Williams | date=November 13, 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f4wwWfTXXGo |access-date=2023-07-12 |language=en}}

rowspan="2" |2019

|"Dead End"

|{{Citation |title=Anna Clendening - Dead End (Official Music Video) | date=January 11, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np3wLlLhQq0 |access-date=2023-07-12 |language=en}}

"Bend & Break"

|{{Citation |title=Anna Clendening - Bend & Break (Official Music Video) | date=February 22, 2019 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7IUuMJ5qYU |access-date=2023-07-12 |language=en}}

rowspan="2" |2020

|"Lonely Hearts"

| rowspan="2" |JoJo

|{{Cite web |last=West |first=Rachel |date=2020-04-27 |title=JoJo Releases New Video For Her Song 'Lonely Hearts' |url=https://etcanada.com/news/633771/jojo-releases-new-video-for-her-song-lonely-hearts/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200428021631/https://etcanada.com/news/633771/jojo-releases-new-video-for-her-song-lonely-hearts/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=April 28, 2020 |access-date=2023-07-12 |website=ET Canada |language=en-US}}

"Think About You"

|{{Citation |title=JoJo - Think About You [Official Acoustic Video] | date=July 10, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=373oe0p_hu4 |access-date=2023-07-19 |language=en}}

References

{{reflist|refs=

{{cite web |last=Monde |first=Chiderah | title=Robin Williams dead at 63: Actor's daughter Zelda Williams posts heartfelt tribute: 'Only you will have the stars that can laugh'| work= New York Daily News | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/gossip/robin-williams-daughter-zelda-williams-posts-heartfelt-tribute-article-1.1900396|access-date=August 11, 2014}}

{{cite news |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20062104,00.html |title=Generation Next: Look Who's Stepping Out of Hollywood's Spectacular Gene Pool |work=People |date=May 7, 2007 |volume=67 |issue=18 |page=164 |location=New York City |access-date=August 11, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812211539/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20062104,00.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}

{{cite web | title=Zelda Rae Williams Biography | work= entertainment.oneindia.in | url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/celebs/zelda-williams/biography.html}}

{{cite web |last=Derschowitz |first=Jessica |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/robin-williams-daughter-zelda-star-in-the-legend-of-zelda-ad-video/ |title=Robin Williams, daughter Zelda star in 'The Legend of Zelda' ad (Video) |website=CBS News |date=June 16, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203022054/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-31749_162-20071532-10391698.html |archive-date=February 3, 2012}}

{{cite web | url = https://www.scotsman.com/news/profile-robin-williams-actor-and-comedian-2508508 | title = Profile: Robin Williams, actor and comedian | date = September 25, 2010 | access-date = January 3, 2022 | website = The Scotsman | publisher = Johnston Publishing Ltd. | location = Edinburgh }}

{{cite news | url = http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/news/26844 | title = Ocarina of Time 3D Commercial Stars Robin Williams | work = Nintendo World Report | first = Jared | last = Rosenberg | date = June 15, 2011 | access-date = August 11, 2014 | publisher = Nintendo World Report LLC }} Sourced from {{cite press release | url = http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/pr/26842/eu-what-links-a-hollywood-legend-andnnbsp-his-daughter-to-one-of-the-greatest-video-game-franchises-of-all-time | title = What Links a Hollywood Legend and his daughter to one of the greatest video game franchises of all time? | date = June 15, 2011 | access-date = August 11, 2014 }}

{{cite web|last=Razak |first=Matthew |url=http://www.destructoid.com/robin-williams-named-his-daughter-after-princess-zelda-156315.phtml |title=Robin Williams named his daughter after Princess Zelda |website=Destructoid |access-date=February 17, 2012 |date=November 28, 2009}}

{{cite web|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/374424/showbiz/showbizabroad/how-robin-williams-remained-close-to-pinoy-family-even-after-divorce-with-fil-am-wife |title=How Robin Williams remained close to Pinoy family even after divorce with Fil-Am wife |date=August 12, 2014 |website=GMA News Online }}

{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/robin-williams-fears-of-a-clown-20140811?page=4 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140813114606/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/features/robin-williams-fears-of-a-clown-20140811?page=4 |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 13, 2014 |title=Robin Williams: Fears of a Clown |date=August 11, 2014 |magazine=Rolling Stone |first=Jeff |last=Giles }}

{{cite news |last1=Reid |first1=Joe |title=Robin Williams' Widow and Children Agree to Settlement of His Estate |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/10/robin-williams-widow-children-settlement |access-date=25 August 2020 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=October 3, 2015}}

{{cite video|title=Ocarina of Time 3D – Robin Williams Commercial|date=June 15, 2011|access-date=November 17, 2011|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bINUfbLV_0M |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/bINUfbLV_0M |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}

}}