What happened to Zelig Williams? Preview Dateline: Missing In America Season 5

**Josh Mankiewicz** (0:00)
Hey, it's Josh Mankiewicz with a preview of Dateline Missing In America. In our podcast's fifth season, we share six new unsolved mysteries. And we're hoping someone listening might have a clue that could help crack one of these cases. Maybe that someone is you.
Here's Dateline Missing In America.
New York City has always had a magnetic pull for young bright-eyed performers looking for their big break. That part in a Broadway show that takes you from obscurity to stardom. Like the song says, if you can make it there, you can make it anywhere. The line missing from that anthem of hope is that most of those would-be stars do not make it there. Those are dreams that a lot of people have but very few people achieve.

**SPEAKER_3** (0:57)
You're right. You're definitely right.

**Josh Mankiewicz** (1:01)
Zelig Williams was one of those rare success stories.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:05)
I literally looked at him while he was dancing. I was like, you're going to be a star. I just knew it.

**Josh Mankiewicz** (1:10)
Zelig was just 19 and attending college when he landed a role in the ensemble of a little musical you may have heard of. I am not throwing away my shot.
Hamilton. What was that like seeing him on stage?

**SPEAKER_2** (1:30)
Amazing.

**Josh Mankiewicz** (1:33)
A legit triple threat.

**SPEAKER_3** (1:36)
He wanted to perfect his craft, whether it was dance, acting, singing. He truly studied it and wanted to just be the best version of himself.

**Josh Mankiewicz** (1:49)
By the time he was 28, Zelig was a Broadway veteran and ready to share what he had learned with the next generation.

**Zelig Williams** (1:58)
What's up, y'all? I've been planning on doing a two-day workshop slash boot camp for dancers on how to audition for a Broadway show.

**Josh Mankiewicz** (2:06)
He would never get the chance to impart all that wisdom. That's because on October 3rd, 2024, Zelig Williams disappeared.
Thanks for listening. Search for Dateline Missing In America to start listening to Season 5 and follow now. For ad-free listening, subscribe to Dateline Premium on Apple Podcasts, on Spotify or at datelinepremium.com.

**SPEAKER_2** (2:50)
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