Jesse Williams (actor)

Williams was born in Chicago{{cite web|url=http://www.bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/The-Betty-Interview-Jesse-Williams.html |title=The Betty Interview: Jesse Williams |publisher=BettyConfidential.com |date=October 26, 2009| first=Patty |last=Adams|access-date=March 13, 2013| archive-date= March 28, 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160328024948/http://bettyconfidential.com/ar/ld/a/The-Betty-Interview-Jesse-Williams.html | url-status=live}} on August 5, 1981, to Johanna Chase, a professional potter, and Reginald Williams.{{cite web |first=David B. |last=Boyce |url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051113/NEWS/311139924 |title=Dartmouth native wins spot in ABC acting showcase |website=southcoasttoday.com |date=November 13, 2005 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203061314/http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051113/NEWS/311139924 |url-status=dead }} Jesse Williams has said his mother is Swedish Polish and his father is African American from Georgia.{{cite web |url=https://www.dailypress.com/2010/09/18/jesse-williams-learns-and-plays-history/ |title=Jesse Williams learns and plays history – Daily Press |publisher=Articles.dailypress.com |date=September 18, 2010 |access-date=October 29, 2012 |archive-date=February 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130226014619/http://articles.dailypress.com/2010-09-18/entertainment/dp-fea-jesse-williams-20100918_1_revolutionary-city-program-african-american-studies-history-program |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://globalgrind.com/entertainment/jesse-williams-not-just-pretty-face-interview |title=Jesse Williams Is Not Just a Pretty Face |date=January 26, 2012 |publisher=Global Grind |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-date=May 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526073628/http://globalgrind.com/entertainment/jesse-williams-not-just-pretty-face-interview |url-status=live }}

Finding Your Roots revealed that on his mother's side, Williams is a descendant of English colonist Joseph Herrick, the principal law enforcement officer during the Salem Witch Trials in Salem, Massachusetts.{{cite web |last=Callahan |first=Chrissy |title=Jesse Williams reacts to learning ancestor played major role in Salem witch trials |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/jesse-williams-finding-your-roots-revelations-rcna137365 |date=February 4, 2024 |website=Today |publisher=NBC |access-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-date=February 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240211111102/https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/jesse-williams-finding-your-roots-revelations-rcna137365 |url-status=live }}

Williams graduated from Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1998. After he graduated from high school, his father began teaching history in northern Maine, while his mother continued to work in pottery. He has two younger brothers, who both specialize and work in the field of visual arts.

Williams graduated from Temple University with a double major in African American Studies and Film and Media Arts.{{cite news | url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/williams-django-still-chained/ | work=CNN | title=Django, in chains | date=February 21, 2013 | access-date=February 24, 2013 | archive-date=February 24, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130224013152/http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/williams-django-still-chained | url-status=live }} Following in the footsteps of his parents, he taught high school in the Philadelphia public school system for six years: American Studies, African Studies, and English.{{cite web |url= http://abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy/bio/jackson-avery/568571 |title= Jackson Avery: Played by Jesse Williams) |publisher= Grey's Anatomy official site (ABC) |access-date= March 13, 2013 |archive-date= May 15, 2013 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130515135632/http://abc.go.com/shows/greys-anatomy/bio/jackson-avery/568571 }}

In 2005, Williams began to study acting and was chosen to participate in the New York Actors Showcase presented by ABC Television, one of 14 actors chosen from among more than 800 individuals who auditioned. Since 2006, he has appeared in a number of television series, films and theatre productions. In 2012, he established a production company, farWord Inc.

In 2006, Williams appeared in an episode of Law & Order, portraying the character Kwame. He also appeared in the role of Drew Collins, in two episodes of the ABC Family series Greek.{{cite web|url=http://www.jessewilliamsonline.com/filmography.php |title=Jesse Williams' Official Website: Filmography |access-date=March 13, 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727042912/http://www.jessewilliamsonline.com/filmography.php |archive-date=July 27, 2011 }}

File:Jesse Williams in 2008 white shirt.jpg

On October 15, 2009, Williams began appearing as surgical resident Jackson Avery, in the ABC television series Grey's Anatomy.{{cite news|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i8a16efbe1212c66b7937807625f4f83e |title=Jesse Williams cast in 'Grey's Anatomy' – Live Feed |publisher=Hollywoodreporter.com |date=August 28, 2009 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100114010109/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i8a16efbe1212c66b7937807625f4f83e |archive-date=January 14, 2010 }} On June 8, 2010, it was announced Williams would be a series regular, starting in season 7.{{cite magazine|last=Michael |first=Ausiello |url=https://ew.com/article/2010/06/08/greys-anatomy-jesse-williams-series-regular/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100609123029/http://ausiellofiles.ew.com/2010/06/08/greys-anatomy-jesse-williams-series-regular/ |url-status=live |archive-date=June 9, 2010 |title='Grey's Anatomy' exclusive: Jesse Williams gets full-time upgrade | Inside TV | EW.com |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=March 13, 2013 }} He worked with the series for 12 seasons, and his departure was announced in May 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/05/jesse-williams-leaving-greys-anatomy-jackson-avery-12-seasons-1234750666/|title=Jesse Williams Leaving 'Grey's Anatomy' After 12 Seasons|date=May 7, 2021|access-date=May 13, 2021|archive-date=May 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520212313/https://deadline.com/2021/05/jesse-williams-leaving-greys-anatomy-jackson-avery-12-seasons-1234750666/|url-status=live}} His final episode aired May 20 on ABC. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in May 2021, Williams said the decision to leave the show was "a collective thing" and part of a discussion the actor had with showrunner Krista Vernoff about Jackson's trajectory that ultimately helped solidify 11 seasons of storyline.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/greys-anatomy-why-jesse-williams-left-exit-interview-1234957310/|title=Jesse Williams Opens Up About His 'Grey's Anatomy' Departure: "It Felt Organic"|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=21 May 2021|access-date=22 May 2021|archive-date=May 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210521235354/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-features/greys-anatomy-why-jesse-williams-left-exit-interview-1234957310/|url-status=live}} In May and October 2022, he returned in guest appearances in seasons 18 and 19.

Williams was named the TV Actor of the Year at the 2011 Young Hollywood Awards.{{cite web|url=http://molempire.com/2011/05/24/jesse-williams-is-tv-actor-of-the-year/|title=Jesse Williams Is TV Actor Of The Year|date=May 24, 2011|access-date=February 24, 2020|archive-date=February 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224221207/http://molempire.com/2011/05/24/jesse-williams-is-tv-actor-of-the-year/|url-status=live}} BuddyTV ranked him as No. 6 on its "TV's 100 Sexiest Men of 2010" list{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/community/tvs-100-sexiest-men-of-2010-96194.aspx|title=TV's 100 Sexiest Men of 2010|date=December 6, 2010|publisher=Buddytv.com|access-date=January 13, 2012|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102150829/http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/community/tvs-100-sexiest-men-of-2010-96194.aspx|url-status=live}} and No. 11 in 2011.{{cite web|url=http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/white-collar/tvs-100-sexiest-men-of-2011-29104.aspx|title=TV's 100 Sexiest Men of 2011|date=December 7, 2011|publisher=Buddytv.com|access-date=January 13, 2012|archive-date=April 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180422101322/http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/white-collar/tvs-100-sexiest-men-of-2011-29104.aspx|url-status=live}}

Williams made his film debut in the supporting role of Leo in the 2008 sequel to The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. He subsequently appeared in Brooklyn's Finest (2009), starring Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, and Ellen Barkin. Williams played Holden McCrea, the lead role in the MGM/United Artists horror film The Cabin in the Woods, produced by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard, released April 13, 2012.

In May 2012, a fan campaign was organized to try to influence film executives to cast him in the role of Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.{{cite web |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/the_awful_truth/catching_fire_casting_scoop_fan_fave/313327 |title=Catching Fire Casting Scoop: Fan Fave Jesse Williams Talks Finnick! |publisher=E! Online |date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-date=July 7, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120707072704/http://www.eonline.com/news/the_awful_truth/catching_fire_casting_scoop_fan_fave/313327 |url-status=live }} This news resulted in some Hunger Games fans protesting casting decisions made by the film executives.{{cite web |author=Anna Breslaw |url=http://jezebel.com/5907900/casting-of-the-hunger-games-finnick-is-stirring-up-another-race-shitstorm |title=Another Racist Shitstorm Brews Over Casting Hunger Games' Finnick |publisher=Jezebel.com |date=May 5, 2012 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 28, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130228211454/http://jezebel.com/5907900/casting-of-the-hunger-games-finnick-is-stirring-up-another-race-shitstorm |url-status=live }}

In 2013, Williams wrote an opinion piece for CNN which analyzed the film Django Unchained.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/williams-django-still-chained |title=Django, in chains |publisher=CNN.com |date=February 21, 2013 |access-date=March 13, 2013 |archive-date=February 27, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227090226/http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/williams-django-still-chained |url-status=live }} Later that year he narrated the audio version of the book The Bane Chronicles: What Really Happened In Peru, by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan.{{cite web|last=Rosenfield|first=Kat|title=Jesse Williams Spills The Beans On His 'Bane Chronicles' Voice Gig|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/2559357/jesse-williams-bane-chronicles-what-really-happened-in-peru/|work=MTV|access-date=June 15, 2020|date=April 17, 2013|archive-date=August 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160809010249/http://www.mtv.com/news/2559357/jesse-williams-bane-chronicles-what-really-happened-in-peru/|url-status=dead}}

On June 9, 2015, Variety announced Williams was among actors who had joined the cast of the thriller film Money, who included Jamie Bamber, Kellan Lutz, Jesse Williams, and Jess Weixler. The film was directed by Martin Rosete and produced by Atit Shah.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2015/film/news/bamber-lutz-williams-weixler-set-for-money-exclusive-1201515227/|work=Variety|author=Hopewell, John|author2=Mayorga, Emilio|date=June 9, 2015|title=Bamber, Lutz, Williams, Weixler Set For 'Money' (EXCLUSIVE)|access-date=December 10, 2017|archive-date=November 5, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151105054140/http://variety.com/2015/film/news/bamber-lutz-williams-weixler-set-for-money-exclusive-1201515227/|url-status=live}}

In May 2016, Williams was executive producer of the documentary film Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement, part of BET's 'The Truth Series'.{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160517006438/en/BET%E2%80%99s-Award-Winning-Truth-Series-Returns-Premiere-Original|publisher=Business Wire|title=BET's Award-Winning The Truth Series Returns with the Premiere of an Original Documentary on the Rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement|date=May 2016|access-date=May 17, 2016|archive-date=May 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160518104642/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160517006438/en/BET%E2%80%99s-Award-Winning-Truth-Series-Returns-Premiere-Original|url-status=live}} In 2021, Williams produced an American short-film titled Two Distant Strangers, written by Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe. This short film won an Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film in 2021.

Williams has served as a guest director for student productions at the Urban Arts Partnership 24 Hour Plays Off-Broadway, at the request of Rosie Perez and Anna Strout.{{cite web|url=http://www.jessewilliamsonline.com/bio.php |title=Jesse Williams' Official Website: Bio |access-date=September 12, 2010 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110730083541/http://www.jessewilliamsonline.com/bio.php |archive-date=July 30, 2011 }}

In March 2022, Williams made his Broadway debut in the revival of Richard Greenberg’s Take Me Out. Williams starred in the lead role of Darren Lemming. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Williams had a recurring role on Hulu's Only Murders in the Building in fall 2023, playing Tobert. Together with the rest of the cast, Williams was nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2024.{{cite press release|url=https://www.sagawards.org/media/news/releases/nominations-announced-30th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awardsr|title=Nominations Announced for the 30th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®|publisher=Screen Actors Guild|date=January 10, 2024|access-date=January 10, 2024|archive-date=January 10, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110153537/https://www.sagawards.org/media/news/releases/nominations-announced-30th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awardsr|url-status=live}}

Williams is the youngest member of the board of directors at The Advancement Project, a civil rights think tank and advocacy group. He is also the executive producer of Question Bridge: Black Males, a multifaceted media project, art exhibition, student and teacher curriculum and website,{{cite web|url=http://beta.questionbridge.com/|title=Question Bridge|access-date=June 18, 2014|archive-date=June 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140622194830/http://beta.questionbridge.com/|url-status=dead}} focused on the black male identity and the diversity within the demographic.

He has written articles for CNN{{cite web |url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/williams-django-still-chained/ |title=Django, in chains |date=February 21, 2013 |website=CNN |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=February 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230221123001/https://www.cnn.com/2013/02/19/opinion/williams-django-still-chained/ |url-status=live }} and The Huffington Post.{{cite web|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-williams/child-hunger-schools_b_1004971.html|title=Too Many American Students Are Experiencing Hunger|date=October 11, 2011|work=The Huffington Post|access-date=June 18, 2014|archive-date=November 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131107083720/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jesse-williams/child-hunger-schools_b_1004971.html|url-status=live}} He also has been a guest on Wolf Blitzer's The Situation Room.

In June 2016, Williams won the humanitarian award at the 2016 BET Awards. His acceptance speech highlighted issues of racial injustice, police brutality, and the 'invention of whiteness'.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/arts/television/bet-awards-jesse-williams.html|title=How Jesse Williams Stole BET Awards With Speech on Racism|author=Katie Roger|date=June 27, 2016|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 2, 2017|archive-date=March 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170302064859/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/28/arts/television/bet-awards-jesse-williams.html|url-status=live}} As a result of his speech, dueling petitions were circulated: one to have Williams fired from Grey's Anatomy and one to keep him on the series.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/arts/television/fire-jesse-williams-for-bet-speech-petition-says-but-hes-not-worried.html|title=Petition Wants Jesse Williams Fired for His Speech at BET Awards. But He's Not Worried.|first=Liam|last=Stack|work=The New York Times|date=July 5, 2016|access-date=July 6, 2016|archive-date=July 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160705202839/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/07/06/arts/television/fire-jesse-williams-for-bet-speech-petition-says-but-hes-not-worried.html|url-status=live}}

Williams occasionally worked as a model during college, but never considered pursuing it as a career. He modeled for Kenneth Cole Productions, Levi's, and Tommy Hilfiger Corporation.{{cite news | url=http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1124/williamsj.html | work=RTÉ News | title=Jesse Williams | date=November 24, 2011 | access-date=April 30, 2012 | archive-date=February 18, 2013 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130218054213/http://www.rte.ie/ten/2011/1124/williamsj.html | url-status=live }} Williams also modeled for Lane Bryant in 2012.

He appeared as the love interest of R&B singer Rihanna in the music video for her single "Russian Roulette" from her 2009 album Rated R. He also appears in the music video for Estelle's song "Fall In Love", from the album All of Me. In 2018, Williams appeared in the video for "Tell Me You Love Me" by Demi Lovato.

Williams did the voice acting and performance capture for Markus in the video game Detroit: Become Human, which first released on May 25, 2018, for the PlayStation 4. He also did the voice acting and performance capture for Duke in the video game NBA 2K21, which released worldwide on September 4, 2020, for multiple consoles.

Williams dated Aryn Drake-Lee for five years before the two married on September 1, 2012. The couple have two children together, a daughter Sadie Williams (b. December 2013) and a son Maceo Williams (b. October 2015). The couple filed for divorce in April 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2017/04/24/jesse-williams-greys-anatomy-divorce/|title='Grey's Anatomy' Star Jesse Williams and Wife Divorce|date=April 24, 2017 |access-date=March 29, 2022|archive-date=March 29, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220329230026/https://www.tmz.com/2017/04/24/jesse-williams-greys-anatomy-divorce/|url-status=live}} The divorce was finalized in October 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/tv/jesse-williams-aryn-drake-lee-finalize-divorce/|title=Jesse Williams and Aryn Drake-Lee Finalize Divorce, Agree to Joint Custody of 2 Children|access-date=December 7, 2020|archive-date=March 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230307161141/https://people.com/tv/jesse-williams-aryn-drake-lee-finalize-divorce/|url-status=live}}

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Category:21st-century African-American male actors

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:Male actors from Chicago

Category:American male film actors

Category:Television producers from Illinois

Category:American people of Swedish descent

Category:Living people

Category:Temple University alumni

Category:Audiobook narrators

Category:American male television actors

Category:American male stage actors

Category:Moses Brown School alumni

Category:American male video game actors

Category:Film producers from Illinois

Category:Educators from Illinois

Category:1981 births

Category:Male motion capture actors