Remembering Andy Williams

America mourns the loss of singer Andy Williams, whose career spanned the decades and launched the careers of many other singers. INSIDE EDITION reports.

Andy Williams will be remembered as the last of the great crooners. No one will ever forget his unforgettable rendition of the theme song to Breakfast At Tiffany's, "Moon River."

But what you may not know is that Williams, who died yesterday of bladder cancer at age 84, was instrumental in bringing new talent to light.

Little Marie Osmond appeared on TV sitting on Andy's lap during a 1964 broadcast of his popular variety show. The Osmonds credit their success to the boost they got from Andy Williams.

Alan Osmond and will never forget what Andy Williams meant to him and the rest of the Osmonds.

Osmond told INSIDE EDITION, "He gave us our break. We were close. We talked about life. We talked about family. He would teach us how to be professional, and how to do it right."

Williams, whose annual Christmas specials drew huge TV ratings, died at his home in Branson. The public knew him for his music, close friends remember his loyalty.

He stood by his ex-wife, Claudine Longet, when she was charged with accidentally shooting her boyfriend in 1976. After his good friend Bobby Kennedy was slain in 1968, Williams escorted his widow, Ethel, to numerous events in the ensuing years.

Williams had a knack for turning movie theme songs into huge hits, such as the theme from Born Free and The Days of Wine and Roses, to the theme from Love Story.

Andy Williams leaves his second wife, Debbie, three children, and more musical memories than anyone can count.