Michelle Williams' life from Baywatch role to 'sobbing' over Heath Ledger memory

Michelle Williams is a well-known figure who has been in the limelight since her teens, yet many fans might not be fully acquainted with her off-screen life.

The eight-part comedy-drama Dying For Sex has made its debut on Disney+ on Friday, 4th April, with Williams taking centre stage as Molly Kochan.

Inspired by the award-winning podcast of the same name, Dying For Sex tells the true story of Molly, whose terminal cancer diagnosis prompts her to explore her sexual desires, leading her to leave her husband of 15 years.

Joined by Jenny Slate from It Ends With Us and Rob Delaney from Bad Monkey, Williams brings to life the reality of living with a terminal illness but what about the actress herself?

Emancipation

Raised in rural Kalispell, Montana, Williams relocated to San Diego with her stay-at-home mum Carla and commodities trader father Larry when she was just nine.

With a burning ambition to act, having already begun her career with minor roles as a child, she legally emancipated from her parents, with their consent, to work adult hours in Los Angeles.

As reported by The Guardian, the actress moved to Burbank, California, alone at the tender age of 15, but "the emancipation from parental oversight appears to have stretched a little further than formality.

"Supper was always pizza – as was breakfast, and lunch. She didn't see a dentist for a decade."

But the actress admitted: "There are some really disgusting people in the world ...and I met some of them."

Baywatch

Williams stepped into the limelight with her first ever onscreen appearance in 1993, playing Bridget Bowers on the legendary show Baywatch at just 14-years-old.

She quickly carved out a niche for herself, securing roles in movies like the 1994 adaptation of Lassie, Home Improvement, Species, and Halloween H20: 20 Years Later by 1998.

That very year marked Williams' rise to stardom as the memorable Jen Lindley in the hit drama series alongside notable actors Joshua Jackson, Katie Holmes, and Chad Michael Murray.

Heath Ledger

When it comes to film, Williams boasts an impressive repertoire including celebrated performances in Blue Valentine, My Week With Marilyn, Manchester By The Sea, and The Greatest Showman.

Her portrayal as Alma, the wife of Heath Ledger's Ennis in the acclaimed movie Brokeback Mountain in 2005, is arguably among her standout roles.

Reflecting on her time with Ledger on the set of Brokeback Mountain, she recounted in the documentary I Am Heath Ledger, saying, "I remember the first day on set, I was blown away.

"I just felt an incredible connection very quickly. So intense that it was sort of, quite shocking."

Williams and Ledger shared a whirlwind romance, culminating in the arrival of their daughter Matilda Rose Ledger in October 2005.

Sadly, the love story came to an end, as they split due to his "lifestyle" with insiders at the time revealing, "He [Ledger] liked to go out, he was a known user of drugs, he used cocaine.

"He had a lifestyle that really wasn't - at least in Michelle Williams's eyes - compatible with raising a child and continuing in that relationship."

After Heath Ledger

Reflecting on life post-Heath Ledger, Williams has been open about dealing with his absence both in her life and in their daughter’s.

She's been quoted as saying: "In all honesty, for pretty much everything else, I feel like I'm a believer in not fighting circumstances, accepting where you are and where you've been.

"In pretty much all senses but one, I would be able to go totally down that line of thinking were it not for Matilda not having her dad.

"You know, that's just something that doesn't...I mean, it just won't ever be right."

Opening up in an intimate interview with Porter magazine, she recalled a poignant moment which reassured her.

"I watched [Matilda] warm in the sun, in her swimsuit, get on her bicycle and smile and wave as she rode off to go meet her friends."

Visibly moved, she continued: "I went back into the house and sobbed because of this incredibly simple moment ― common everyday happiness."

From sorrow to solace, Williams concluded, "I really felt like in that moment, like wow, we've done it. Not only are we OK, she's happy. Life has brought us to a place that's not just surviving, but thriving."

Michelle Williams has since found love again, married to acclaimed theatre director Thomas Kail since 2020.

What's next

Fresh off the release of Dying For Sex, Williams has yet another project lined up, staying ever-active in her craft.

She is presently involved in the production of Fever, a biographical film that delves into the life and career of singer-songwriter Peggy Lee, who was renowned for her nearly seven-decade-long career and hits like Is That All There Is and Somebody Else Is Taking My Place.

As per her IMDb page, Fever is still in the development stage and an official release date has yet to be announced.

Dying For Sex is available to watch on Disney+.