- Jesse Williams (actor)
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Jesse Williams 
Williams in attendance at 7 For All Mankind's celebration of its first NYC boutique in SOHO on August 14, 2008 in New York City.Born August 5, 1981 [1]
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Occupation Actor Years active 2006–present Jesse Williams (born August 5, 1981) is an American actor and model. He is known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC series Grey's Anatomy and as Lena's boyfriend Leo in the film sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. He also stars in the upcoming Joss Whedon horror film The Cabin in the Woods.
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Personal life
Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois[2] to a Swedish mother and an African American father.[3] Williams graduated from Temple University with degrees in African American Studies and Film & Media Arts. He taught American Studies, African Studies and English at a Philadelphia public high school following a brief modeling career in college.[2][4] He played town sports in Dartmouth, Massachusetts.
Career
In 2006, Jesse guest starred in an episode of Law & Order portraying the character Kwame. He starred in the Off Broadway hits The American Dream and The Sandbox at Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village in New York City. Both one-act plays were written and directed by legendary playwright Edward Albee.
In 2008, Williams made his theatrical debut in the supporting role of Leo in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2, a sequel to the 2004 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. He also starred as Drew Collins ("The Hotness Monster") in a recurring role on the ABC Family series Greek. He appeared in two episodes. In 2009, he portrayed Keya in the HBO pilot The Washingtonienne which was executive produced by Sarah Jessica Parker. The pilot was not picked up. He also signed on as Eddie Quinlain in the film Brooklyn's Finest which stars Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes and Ellen Barkin. The film was released on Friday, March 5, 2010. He also starred in a 8 episode stint in the television series Beyond the Break as "Eric Medina".
In 2008, Williams signed on in his first leading role as Holden McCrea in the MGM/United Artists Horror film The Cabin in the Woods. The film will be produced by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard. The film was released January 14, 2011 and featured in 3-D.
In 2009, it was announced Williams would appear in a multi-episode arc on the Golden Globe Award Winning ABC television series Grey's Anatomy.[5] He portrays a new Mercy West surgeon Dr. Jackson Avery in the series sixth season. He made his debut in the season's fifth episode which aired October 15, 2009. On June 8, 2010, it was announced that Williams had been officially upgraded to a full-time series regular, starting in season 7.[6]
Williams has modeled for Kenneth Cole. He also appears in the limited-edition coffee table book ("About Face") by celebrity photographer John Russo.[7][8]
He can be seen 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 official music video for Estelle's upcoming single Fall In Love featuring John Legend from her yet to be released 2011 album All of Me.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Leo 2010 Brooklyn's Finest Eddie Quinlain March 5, 2010 2012 The Cabin in the Woods Holden McCrea Post-Production Television Year Title Role Notes 2006 Law & Order Kwame 1 Episode 2006 Beyond the Break Eric Medina 8 Episodes 2008 Greek Drew Collins 2 Episodes 2009 The Washingtonienne Keya "HBO" Pilot Not Picked Up 2009–present Grey's Anatomy Dr. Jackson Avery Main cast member References
- ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wires/2009/10/21/jesse-williams-heats-up-g_ws_329420.html
- ^ a b The Betty Interview: Jesse Williams
- ^ http://www.jessewilliamsonline.com/bio.php
- ^ Fleming, Kirsten (August 3, 2008). "Who's That: Jesse Williams is Brooklyn's Newest Breakout Star". Page Six Magazine. New York Post Holdings. http://www.nypost.com/pagesixmag/issues/20080803/Whos+Jesse+Williams+Brooklyns+Newest+Breakout+Star. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/television/news/e3i8a16efbe1212c66b7937807625f4f83e
- ^ "Grey's Anatomy" Exclusive: Jesse Williams Gets Full-Time Upgrade, Entertainment Weekly, June 8, 2010
- ^ www.pixiepressworldwide.com
- ^ Metro Source LA magazine
External links
Grey's Anatomy Characters
(cast members)Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) · Cristina Yang (Sandra Oh) · Izzie Stevens (Katherine Heigl) · Alex Karev (Justin Chambers) · George O'Malley (T.R. Knight) · Miranda Bailey (Chandra Wilson) · Richard Webber (James Pickens, Jr.) · Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) · Callie Torres (Sara Ramírez) · Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) · Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh) · Erica Hahn (Brooke Smith) · Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) · Arizona Robbins (Jessica Capshaw) · Teddy Altman (Kim Raver) · April Kepner (Sarah Drew) · Jackson Avery (Jesse Williams) · Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) · Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey)Shonda Rhimes (creator) · Awards and nominations · Soundtrack ("Chasing Cars" • "How to Save a Life" • "The Story" • "Breathe In, Breathe Out") · Video game · Private PracticeCategories:- 1981 births
- Living people
- Actors from Chicago, Illinois
- American television actors
- Temple University alumni
- African American actors
- American people of Swedish descent
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