- Her career breakthrough role was playing "Janet Mason" on the daytime soap Guiding Light (1952) from 1969 through 1975. Shortly after, she earned one of her best roles spoofing soaps in the primetime TV series comedy Soap (1977). She then played a different character when she was asked to join the Soap (1977) series spinoff Benson (1979).
- Majored in drama at Carnegie Mellon and at the Pasadena Playhouse.
- Has a son, Sean Douglas (born May 27, 1983), with Michael Keaton. Sean plays keyboard with a band called "The Hatch".
- Upon her death, donations were asked to be made in her name to the Red Cross Haiti relief effort.
- Grew up and attended high school in Rhode Island.
- She auditioned for the role of "Ellen Tucker Shepherd" on All My Children (1970), but was told that she was too young for the role.
- McWilliams grew up in Barrington, Rhode Island, one of four daughters of Dr. Joseph McWilliams and his wife, Patti. Her sisters were Kelly-Jo, Norma, and Patti.
- Enjoyed kayaking and hiking.
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