Who is American Tenor Otis Williams? His Family, Height & More (2024)

Who is Otis Williams?

Otis Williams is An American singer, songwriter, and musician, he is best known as the founding member and last original surviving member of the classic Motown group, The Temptations. Forming the group in 1960 with fellow singers Elbridge “AI” Bryant, Melvin Franklin, Eddie Kendricks, and Paul Williams.

He served as the group’s leader and bass vocalist, helping to shape their distinctive sound and style that blended R&B, soul, and pop music.”

Birthday and Zodiac

Education

Physical Stats

Net Worth

Family and Relationship

Social Media

Biography Timeline

Otis Williams is an American singer and songwriter best known as the founding member and last surviving original member of The Temptations, one of the most successful R&B groups ever. Born on October 30, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas, Williams started his career in music at a young age and has since become a legend in the industry. Here is a timeline of his life and career:

  • 1941: Born in Texarkana, Texas.
  • 1958: Formed a singing group called The Siberians in Detroit, Michigan, which later became The Elgins.
  • 1960: Williams and The Elgins signed with Motown Records and changed their name to The Temptations.
  • 1962: The Temptations released their first single, “Dream Come True.”
  • 1964: The group’s hit song “The Way You Do the Things You Do” reached No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
  • 1965: The Temptations released the hit song “My Girl,” their first No. 1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
  • 1968: The Temptations won their first Grammy Award for the song “Cloud Nine.”
  • 1971: He released his first solo album, “The Temptation,” while still a member of The Temptations.
  • 1989: The Temptations were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
  • 1998: He published his autobiography, “Temptations,” which detailed his life and career with the group.
  • 2013: The Temptations received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

The singer has been recognized throughout his career for his contributions to the music industry and has received numerous awards and honours. He has also been involved in various charitable causes, including organizations that support sickle cell anaemia research and education. Williams continues to perform and tour with The Temptations and is regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of R&B music.

Early Life, Growing Up and Education

Otis was born “Otis Miles Jr.” on October 30, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas, to parents Otis and Hazel Williams. He grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where he developed an early interest in music and singing and attended Northeastern High School in Detroit and later enrolled at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida, before transferring to Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia. While in college, Williams formed a singing group called The Distance, which later evolved into The Elgins and eventually The Temptations.

Professional Career: Hit songs and Accolades

His professional career as a member of The Temptations spans several decades and includes numerous hit songs and albums. Some of his primary breakthrough songs and albums include:

  • “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1964)
  • “My Girl” (1965)
  • “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” (1966)
  • “Cloud Nine” (1968)
  • “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone” (1972)
  • “All Directions” (1972)
  • “Masterpiece” (1973)
  • “1990” (1973)

Throughout his career, Williams also received numerous awards and honours for his contributions to music, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013.

Net Worth

The estimated net worth is around $8 million. Despite his net worth, Otis is widely recognized as a highly successful musician and a true icon in the music industry. His contributions to the world of music are immeasurable.

Personal Life, Wife and Kids

This singer is a legendary American musician who has been a part of the music industry for over five decades. However, the singer has also had a fascinating personal life beyond his music career. He has been married thrice, with his first marriage to Josephine Rogers from 1961 to 1964.

Together, they had a son named Otis Lamont, who tragically passed away in 1985 at 24. His second marriage was to Ann Cain from 1967 to 1973, but the couple had no children. His third and current marriage is to Aeleata “Goldie” Williams, whom he married in 1983. Goldie had a daughter named Elan Carter from a previous relationship, whom Williams had helped raise as his own.

Physical Measurements, Height and Eye Color

This singer is around 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall and weighs approximately 76 kilograms (167 pounds). He is also known for his distinctive black eyes and African-American ethnicity. He was born on January 30, 1941, which makes him a Scorpio according to the Zodiac Calendar.

Trivia

  • Otis Williams is a founding member and the only surviving original member of the legendary Motown group The Temptations.
  • The singer was born in Texarkana, Texas but grew up in Detroit, Michigan.
  • In addition to singing, Williams has also worked as a record producer, helping to create hits for other Motown artists such as The Supremes and Stevie Wonder.
  • The singer has written an autobiography called “Temptations” that chronicles the history of the group and his experience as a member.
  • In 2013, Williams was honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the music industry as a member of the Temptations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Otis Williams?

Otis Williams is an American tenor and the founding member of the iconic Motown group, The Temptations.

What is Otis Williams’s Age?

Otis Williams is 81 years old.

When was the singer of “My Girl” born?

He was born on October 30, 1941, in Texarkana, Texas, USA.

What are Otis’s most famous songs with The Temptations?

He has performed on several of The Temptations’ most famous songs, including “My Girl”, “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, and “Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone”.

Has Otis won any awards for his music?

Otis has won multiple awards with The Temptations, including three Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

What other projects has Otis Williams worked on?

In addition to his work with The Temptations, He has also released solo music and authored a book about his life and career.

Is the singer of “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” still performing?

He was still performing with The Temptations.

What is Williams’s net worth?

His net worth is around $8 million.

Has the singer of “Stay” been married?

Yes, He has been married multiple times. His most recent marriage was to Goldie Williams, whom he married in 2001.

Does the singer of “My Girl” have any children?

The Singer has four children, including a son who died in 1983.

What is Otis Williams’s Height?

His height is reported to be 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm).

What is the singer of “Treat Her Like a Lady” involvement in philanthropy?

He has been involved in several philanthropic organizations throughout his career, including the Special Olympics and the United Negro College Fund.

What is the singer of “My Girl” connection to Berry Gordy?

He was discovered by Berry Gordy, the founder of Motown Records, and signed to the label with The Temptations in the early 1960s.

What challenges has Otis Williams faced in his life?

He has faced several challenges throughout his life and career, including struggles with addiction and the loss of several band members.

What is the singer of the “I wish it would rain” legacy in music?

The Singer is widely regarded as a pioneer of Motown music and a significant figure in the development of soul music. His work with The Temptations has had a lasting impact on popular music and has influenced generations of artists.

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Who is American Tenor Otis Williams? His Family, Height & More (2024)

FAQs

Is Otis Williams married? ›

He married his third wife, Arleata "Goldie" Williams (née Carter), in 1983.

Does Otis Williams have a daughter? ›

What happened to Otis Williams' son? ›

He died in a workplace accident. Construction worker. Son of the legendary Otis Williams of The Temptations and Josephine Rogers (Williams). He died in a workplace accident.

What is Otis Williams real name? ›

Baritone vocalist and member of the legendary R&B group The Temptations, Otis Clayborn Williams was born on October 30, 1941 in Texarkana, Texas to Hazel Louise Williams and the elder Otis Miles. At the age of ten, Williams and his mother relocated to Detroit, Michigan, and he began using his mother's last name.

Is Otis adopted? ›

It is unknown what happened to his biological father, but he presumably died of an illness. Afterwards, Otis was adopted by Ben and lived a happy, normal life with him as father and son. They also loved going fishing together and taking trips to the circus.

Who is baby and Otis dad? ›

Regardless, it's an indisputable fact that Mother Firefly is the biological mother of Baby, and Baby's father is Captain Spaulding. Otis has no blood relation to the clan, and was adopted into the family when they found that his sadistic personality matched theirs.

Does Otis have a brother or sister? ›

Family members
Member
Otis MilburnThe only child of Jean and Remi, Joy's older half-brother.
Joy MilburnThe daughter of Jean and Jakob, half-sister of Otis, Ola and Ola's elder sister.
Joanna FranklinSister of Jean, maternal aunt of Otis and Joy.
2 more rows

Who was Otis Williams best friend? ›

Franklin, who was the baritone voice of the Temps, had been ill for the past few years of his life, suffering from rheumatoid arthritis and diabetes, among other things. Franklin and best friend Otis Williams were the only two members of the most famous line-up of the Temps remaining in the group.

Who paid for David Ruffin's funeral? ›

Michael Jackson volunteered to pay for the funeral expenses, but did not attend the service. Jackson, Rod Stewart, Daryl Hall and John Oates, Diana Ross, the Spinners, and Martha Reeves and the Vandellas sent floral arrangements. Ruffin is buried in section three at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.

Who are Otis parents? ›

Otis's dad Remi lives in America. He broke up with Otis's mom, Jean (Gillian Anderson), after cheating on her. In Sex Education Season 2, Episode 4, Remi, who is now married to Delilah, turns up unexpectedly and wants to spend some time with Otis (Asa Butterfield).

Who is Otis Williams' daughter? ›

Does Otis Williams have children? ›

He is an actor and producer, known for Goodfellas (1990), Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) and The Last Dragon (1985). He has been married to Arleata Carter since January 28, 1983. They have one child. He was previously married to Ann Cain and Josephine Rogers.

Did Otis Williams have a stepfather? ›

While Williams was still a toddler, his mother married and moved to Detroit, Michigan, leaving the boy to be raised by both of his grandmothers in Texarkana. Williams' mother moved him to Detroit when he was ten years old, where he lived with his mother and his stepfather, Edgar Little.

Did Elisha Otis have a wife? ›

In 1834, he married Susan A. Houghton. They had two children, Charles and Norton.

Who is Otis Taylor married to? ›

Personal life. Taylor and his wife, Regina, had a son.

Did James Otis get married? ›

After graduating from Harvard College in 1743 and being admitted to the bar in 1748, Otis moved his law practice from Plymouth to Boston in 1750 and began his politically influential climb. In 1755, he married loyalist Ruth Cunningham, the heiress daughter of a wealthy merchant.

When did Mercy Otis get married? ›

She married James Warren on November 14, 1754, and they settled in Plymouth, where Mercy began the literary and political crusade that led her to become a premier woman of the American Revolution.

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