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

[gentle music] 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.

You're right.

You are definitely right.

Zelig Williams was one of those rare success stories.

I literally looked at him while he was dancing and I was like, "You're going to be a star." I just knew it.

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.

I am not throwing away my shot.

Hey, yo, I'm just like my country.

I'm young, scrappy, and hungry.

Hamilton.

What was that like seeing him on stage?

Amazing.

[laughs]

A legit triple threat.

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.

By the time he was 28, Zelig was a Broadway veteran and ready to share what he had learned with the next generation.

What's up, y'all? I've been planning on doing a two-day workshop/bootcamp for dancers on how to audition for a Broadway show.

He would never get the chance to impart all that wisdom.

That's because on October 3rd, 2024, Zelig Williams disappeared.