Tyler James Williams
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{short description|American actor (born 1992)}}
{{other people|Tyler Williams|Tyler Williams (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Tyler James Williams
| image = Tyler James Williams 2012.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Williams in 2012
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|10|9}}
| birth_place = Westchester County, New York, U.S.{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=20060212&id=xHFPAAAAIBAJ&pg=2154,3537138|title=Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search|work=google.com}}
| othername =
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|rapper}}
| yearsactive = 1999{{ndash}}present
| relatives = {{Unbulleted list|Tyrel Jackson Williams (brother)|Tylen Jacob Williams (brother)}}
}}
Tyler James Williams (born October 9, 1992) is an American actor and rapper. He began his career as a child actor, making several appearances on Saturday Night Live, Little Bill, and Sesame Street.{{Cite web |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Tyler James Williams: From Child Actor to Hollywood Hunk + Nina Parker on 'Tamron Hall' {{!}} WATCH |url=https://eurweb.com/2022/02/16/tyler-james-williams-from-child-actor-to-hollywood-hunk-nina-parker-on-tamron-hall-watch/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=EURweb}} Williams later rose to prominence for playing the role of Chris Rock on the UPN/CW sitcom Everybody Hates Chris (2005{{ndash}}2009). Following this, he starred as songwriter Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine (2012), and Noah on the AMC drama television series The Walking Dead (2014{{ndash}}15).
Since 2021, he has starred as Gregory Eddie on the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary, for which he received critical acclaim including a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and three nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.
In film, Williams has portrayed roles in Detroit (2017) and The United States vs. Billie Holiday (2021).
Early life
Williams was born in Westchester County, New York, and grew up in Yonkers, New York. His mother, Angela Williams, is a counselor, and his father, Le'Roy Williams, is a teacher and retired police sergeant.[http://www.filmreference.com/film/94/Tyler-James-Williams.html Tyler James Williams] filmreference.com[https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/tyler-james-williams/bio/193951 Tyler James Williams Biography]. Tvguide.com. Retrieved on June 18, 2012. Williams has two younger siblings, both of whom are also actors; Tyrel Jackson Williams (b. 1997) and Tylen Jacob Williams (b. 2001).
Career
Williams began his acting career at age 4.{{cite web |url=https://www.questia.com/read/1G1-140092999 | title=Tyler James Williams: star of Everybody Hates Chris. | work=Ebony | date=January 1, 2006 | access-date=}}{{dead link|date=July 2021}} He later starred in Little Bill as the voice of Bobby, briefly replacing Devon Malik Beckford in 2000, and played himself (or an eponymous character, "Tyler") on the PBS series Sesame Street from 2000 to 2005. He rose to fame in September 2005 by playing the title character in the hit series Everybody Hates Chris,{{cite web|title=Everybody Hates Chris|url=http://teacher.scholastic.com/scholasticnews/indepth/everybodyhateschris.asp|website=teacher.scholastic.com|access-date=September 21, 2016}} which finished in May 2009. He won a Young Artist Award in 2007 for his work on the show. He was also a guest star in Two for the Money, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the show Hi-Jinks.{{citation needed|date=March 2021}} In late 2009, Williams appeared in the second season of True Jackson, VP as True's love interest Justin "Lil' Shakespeare" Weber in the two-part episode "Flirting with Fame."{{cite web|url=http://www.j-14.com/posts/natasha-bedingfield-and-tyler-james-williams-guest-star-in-new-true-jackson-vp-movie-1508|title=Natasha Bedingfield and Tyler James Williams Guest Star in New True Jackson, VP Movie!|author=J-14 Magazine|website=J-14|date=May 6, 2013|access-date=November 29, 2017}}
In 2012, Williams played the role of Owen in the series Go On.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/tyler-james-williams-cast-criminal-minds-spinoff-cbs-1201361056/|title=Tyler James Williams Cast in 'Criminal Minds' Spinoff|date=January 28, 2015}} He also played the lead role of Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel film Let It Shine{{cite web|title=Tyler James Williams Reveals His Musical Talents In Disney's 'Let It Shine'|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/tyler-james-williams-musical-talents-disney-let-it-shine_n_1601141|website=HuffPost|date=June 15, 2012|access-date=June 20, 2020}} alongside Coco Jones, Trevor Jackson, and Brandon Mychal Smith. Williams was also featured on nine songs on the film's soundtrack, showing off his rapping skills. The film premiered on June 15, 2012, and his songs "Don't Run Away," "Me and You," "Guardian Angel," "Let It Shine" and "Moment of Truth" all received airplay on Radio Disney.{{cite web|url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/walt-disney-records-let-it-shine-soundtrack-boasts-songs-by-coco-jones-tyler-james-williams-and-other-stars-from-the-disney-channel-original-movie-152490215.html|title=Walt Disney Records' Let It Shine Soundtrack Boasts Songs By Coco Jones, Tyler James Williams And Other Stars From The Disney Channel Original Movie|author=Walt Disney Records|website=PR News Wire|date=May 22, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2017}} The videos were also played frequently on the Disney Channel. Williams also guest starred in the Disney XD series Lab Rats as a future version of the character played by his younger brother Tyrel Jackson Williams.{{cite web|url=http://ontheblacklist.net/5-quick-facts-actor-hip-hop-recording-artist-tyler-williams/|title=6 Fantastic Facts About Actor and Hip Hop Recording Artist, Tyler Williams|website=On the Black List|author=jaej|date=September 6, 2017|access-date=November 29, 2017|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033107/http://ontheblacklist.net/5-quick-facts-actor-hip-hop-recording-artist-tyler-williams/|url-status=dead}}
In 2014, Williams starred in Justin Simien's independent film Dear White People as Lionel Higgins,{{cite web|title="Dear White People" Actor Tyler James Williams Talks To BOSSIP About Race & Sexuality|url=http://bossip.com/1049783/bossip-exclusive-tyler-james-williams-talks-gay-kissing-scenes-in-dear-white-people-and-interracial-dating-in-2014/|website=bossip.com|date=October 26, 2014|access-date=September 21, 2016}} and was cast as the recurring character Noah on the television series The Walking Dead.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-tyler-james-williams-735504|title='Walking Dead' Adds 'Go On' Alum in New Mystery Role|author=Lesley Goldberg|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=September 24, 2014}}{{cite web|title='Walking Dead's' Latest Fatality: Savage Death Will "Rock" Glenn|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-noah-dies-tyler-781577|website=www.hollywoodreporter.com|date=March 15, 2015|access-date=September 21, 2016}} In 2016, Williams played Russ "Monty" Montgomery in the Criminal Minds spin-off Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.{{Cite web|title = 'Criminal Minds' Episode 10.19 Photos: Meet the FBI's International Unit|url=http://www.buddytv.com/slideshows/criminal-minds/criminal-minds-episode-1019-photos-meet-the-fbis-international-unit-98755.aspx|website = www.buddytv.com|date=March 27, 2015 |access-date = January 30, 2016}}{{Cite web|title = Tyler James Williams Cast In 'Criminal Minds' Spinoff|url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/tyler-james-williams-cast-criminal-minds-spinoff-cbs-1201361056/|website = Deadline|access-date = January 30, 2016|language = en-US|first = Nellie|last = Andreeva|date = January 28, 2015}}
Williams was diagnosed with Crohn's disease in 2017, after experiencing symptoms for three years. Since his diagnosis, he has undergone treatment, including multiple surgeries.{{cite web |last1=Crohn's and Colitis Foundation |title=#myIBD: Tyler James Williams' Story |url=https://www.facebook.com/ccfafb/videos/549028692226145 |website=Facebook |access-date=November 16, 2020 |date=December 1, 2018}} In 2019, Williams was cast as Jake in The Wedding Year, a teen romantic comedy film directed by Robert Luketic and starring Sarah Hyland, Jenna Dewan, Matt Shively, and Anna Camp.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wedding_year|title = The Wedding Year| website=Rotten Tomatoes }}
In 2020, Williams played the role of Paul in The Argument.{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/the-argument-film-review|title='The Argument': Film Review|website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 4, 2020}} In 2021, he began playing the role of Gregory Eddie in the ABC mockumentary sitcom Abbott Elementary.{{Cite web |date=February 16, 2022 |title='Abbott Elementary': Tyler James Williams Explains Moment He Knew Show Was a Hit |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/02/abbott-elementary-tyler-james-williams-1234699622/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=IndieWire}} At the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards, Williams earned a nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for the role.{{Cite web |last1=Schneider |first1=Michael |date=July 12, 2022 |title=Emmys 2022: The Complete Nominations List |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/awards/emmys-nominations-list-2022-1235313788/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
!scope="col" | Year !scope="col" | Title !scope="col" | Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |
| 2005
! scope="row"| Two for the Money | Guest at Party | Uncredited |
| rowspan=2| 2006
! scope="row"| The Ant Bully | Blue Teammate #1 (voice) |
| scope="row"| Unaccompanied Minors
| Charlie Goldfinch | |
|---|
| 2013
! scope="row"| Tyler Perry Presents Peeples | Simon Peeples | |
| 2014
! scope="row"| Dear White People | Lionel Higgins | |
| 2017
! scope="row"| Detroit | Leon | |
| 2019
! scope="row"| The Wedding Year | Jake Riddick |
| 2020
! scope="row"| The Argument | Paul |
| 2021
! scope="row"| The United States vs. Billie Holiday |
| 2024
! scope="row"| Amber Alert |Shane |{{Cite web |last=Hermanns |first=Grant |date=2024-09-26 |title=Amber Alert Review: Claustrophobic Thriller Remake Is Narrowly Saved By Compelling Performances |url=https://screenrant.com/amber-alert-movie-review-2024/ |access-date=2025-04-11 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}} |
=Television=
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
!scope="col" | Year !scope="col" | Title !scope="col" | Role !scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes | |
| 1999–2003
! scope="row"| Saturday Night Live | Jack Black's adopted son / Young Boy / Entari Shakunte | 3 episodes | |
| 2000
! scope="row"| Sesame Street | Tyler | 10 episodes | |
| 2000–2002
! scope="row"| Little Bill | Bobby (voice) | 26 episodes | |
| 2004
! scope="row"| Judge Mooney | Melvin | | |
| 2005
! scope="row"| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Kyle McGovern | Episode: "Parts" | |
| 2005–2009
! scope="row"| Everybody Hates Chris | Chris | Lead role; 88 episodes | |
| rowspan=2| 2009
! scope="row"| The Cleaner | Kenji Simon | Episode: "Last American Casualty" | |
| scope="row"| True Jackson, VP
| Justin | 2 episodes | |
|---|---|
| rowspan=2| 2010
! scope="row"| Batman: The Brave and the Bold | Jason Rusch / Firestorm (voice) | |
| scope="row"| Our Show
| Andre | Television film | |
| 2011
! scope="row"| House | Landon | Episode: "Carrot or Stick" | |
| rowspan=2| 2012
! scope="row"| Lab Rats | Future Leo | Episode: "Back from the Future" | |
| scope="row"| Let It Shine
| Cyrus DeBarge / Truth | Television film | |
| 2012–2013
! scope="row"| Go On | Owen Lewis | Series regular | |
| 2014
! scope="row"| Key & Peele | Episode: "Family Matters" | |
| 2014–2015
! scope="row"| The Walking Dead | Noah | Recurring role; season 5 |
| rowspan=4| 2015
! scope="row"| Criminal Minds | Russ "Monty" Montgomery | Episode: "Beyond Borders" | |
| scope="row"| Ballers
| Water boy | Episode: "Raise Up" | |
| scope="row"| Instant Mom
| Jamal | Episode: "Jamal in the Family" | |
| scope="row"| Comedy Bang! Bang!
| Temptation | Episode: "Brie Larson Wears a Billowy Long-Sleeve Shirt and White Saddle Shoes" | |
| 2016
! scope="row"| RePlay | Nate | Main role, web series | |
| 2016–2017
! scope="row"| Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders | Russ "Monty" Montgomery | Main role | |
| 2018
! scope="row"| Dear White People | Carson Rhodes | 2 episodes | |
| rowspan=2| 2019
! scope="row"| Whiskey Cavalier | Edgar Standish | |
| scope="row"| A Black Lady Sketch Show
| Rome | Episode: "Where Are My Background Singers?" | |
| 2021–present
! scope="row"| Abbott Elementary | Gregory Eddie | |
| 2023
! scope="row"| Harley Quinn | Hawkman (voice) |Episode: "A Very Problematic Valentine's Day Special"{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2022-10-07 |title=Harley Quinn Valentine's Day Special Ordered at HBO Max |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/harley-quinn-valentines-day-special-hbo-max-1235396104/ |access-date=2024-10-12 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} | |
| 2023
! scope="row" | History of the World, Part II | |
| 2024
! scope="row"| Everybody Still Hates Chris | | Producer, episode: "Everybody Still Hates the GED" | |
| 2025
! scope="row"| It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Gregory Eddie | Episode: "TBA" |
= Video games =
Awards and nominations
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2023}}
= [[Black Reel Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| 2015
| Best Breakthrough Performance | {{won}} |
= [[Golden Globe Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| 2023
| Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series – Comedy/Musical or Drama | {{won}} |
= [[Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Year ! Category ! Nominated work ! Result |
| 2022
| Best Supporting Actor in a Broadcast Network or Cable Series, Comedy | {{nom}} |
= [[NAACP Image Award]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=10% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=100%| Result |
| 2006
| Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series |rowspan="5" |Everybody Hates Chris | {{nom}} |
| 2007 |
| 2008
| Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2009
| Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2010
| Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2018
|Outstanding Independent Motion Picture |Detroit |{{won}} |
| 2023
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | {{won}} |
= [[Primetime Emmy Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| 2022
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | rowspan=3| Abbott Elementary | {{nom}} |
| 2023
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
| 2024
| Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series | {{nom}} |
= [[Screen Actors Guild Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| align="center"| 2023
| rowspan="2"| Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | rowspan="2"| Abbott Elementary | {{won}} |
| align="center"| 2024
| {{nom}} |
= [[Teen Choice Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| 2006
| {{nom}} |
= [[Young Artist Awards]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width =
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| won
| 2006 | Leading Young Actor (Comedy or Drama) |rowspan="2" |Everybody Hates Chris | {{nom}} |
| 2008
| Best Performance in a TV Series – Leading Young Actor | {{won}} |
= [[Peabody Award]] =
| class="wikitable sortable" width = 75%
! width=4% | Year ! width=54%| Category ! width=32%| Nominated work ! width=10%| Result |
| 2022
| Entertainment | {{won}} |
Discography
{{BLP sources section|date=July 2020}}
- Let It Shine Soundtrack (2012)
- Me, My Brother, And A Mic (2015)
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|1927701}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Awards for Tyler James Williams
|list =
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Breakthrough Performance, Male}}
{{Black Reel Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Comedy Series}}
{{Golden Globe Supporting Actor TV}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series}}
{{NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series}}
}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Tyler James}}
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American rappers
Category:African-American male child actors
Category:21st-century African-American male actors
Category:African-American male rappers
Category:American male child actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (television) winners
Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians
Category:Male actors from Yonkers, New York
Category:People with Crohn's disease