A Flatbush native, Cara Williams was born Bernice Kamiat on June 29, 1925. She began her acting career as a child and moved on to Hollywood in her teens.

She attended Hollywood Professional School and often provided voice-overs for movie cartoon characters. Cara combined her natural beauty and flair for comedy in her film career. She was nominated for an Oscar as the best supporting actress for her performance in The Defiant Ones in 1958. Other films include Meet Me in Las Vegas (’56), Never Steal Anything Small (’59), The Girl Next Door and The White Buffalo (’77).

Cara appeared in the TV situation comedy “Pete and Gladys� (1960-’62) with Harry Morgan. In 1964 she had her own “Cara Williams Show.� She was Mae in the “Rhoda� series (1974-’75).

Cara, known for her sharp tongue and temper, received media attention when she married the equally volatile actor John Barrymore, Jr. (now billed as John Drew Barrymore). They later divorced.

— V.P.

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