Jesse Williams

Jesse Williams is an actor, director, producer, and activist who has made significant strides within the entertainment industry and social justice spheres. He is best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the long-running television series "Grey's Anatomy." Williams pursued academics before transitioning to acting, earning a double major degree in African American Studies and Film and Media Arts from Temple University and teaching high school for several years.

Williams kick-started his acting career in 2006, appearing in various television series and films, eventually gaining recognition with roles in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," "Brooklyn's Finest," "The Cabin in the Woods," and "The Butler." His breakthrough came in 2009 when he joined the cast of "Grey's Anatomy" as Dr. Jackson Avery. His compelling portrayal of this character quickly gained popularity, and Williams became a central figure on the show for over a decade, earning him the title of TV Actor of the Year at the 2011 Young Hollywood Awards. His acting prowess extended beyond television to theatre, where he made his Broadway debut in the revival of Richard Greenberg's "Take Me Out," earning him a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play. In recent years, Williams has had a recurring role on Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building," for which he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series in 2024.

Aside from acting, Williams' voice has graced the world of video games, providing voice acting and motion capture for "Detroit: Become Human" and "NBA 2K21." He has also appeared in music videos for notable artists such as Rihanna, Estelle, Demi Lovato, and Jay-Z. Earlier in his career, Williams supplemented his income by modeling for well-known brands, including Kenneth Cole Productions, Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, and Lane Bryant.

Williams is also a passionate advocate for social justice and racial equality, and he is actively involved in several organizations, including the Advancement Project, a civil rights think tank and advocacy group, where he serves as the youngest member of the board of directors. His strong voice for social justice led to his Humanitarian Award at the 2016 BET Awards, following a powerful speech on racism which gained significant attention. Williams has also written articles on these subjects for CNN and The Huffington Post, and has been a guest on Wolf Blitzer's "The Situation Room."

In addition to his work in front of the camera, Williams has taken on roles behind the scenes as well, serving as an executive producer for the Academy Award-winning short film "Two Distant Strangers," and contributing significantly to the multifaceted media project, "Question Bridge: Black Males." He also produced the documentary "Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement," which traces the rise and impact of the movement.