Esther Williams was an American competitive swimmer and actress who was one of the most popular Hollywood stars of the 1940s and 1950s. She was nicknamed 'America's Mermaid' for her iconic swimming scenes in various movies. Williams set multiple national and regional swimming records in her teenage years, and won three U.S. National Championships in the 100-meter freestyle and the 400-meter freestyle relay. She was also a member of the U.S. Women's Swimming Team at the 1939 World's Fair. Williams' success in the pool led to a successful career in Hollywood, where she starred in numerous films and television shows.