Jesse Williams
Jesse Williams was born on August 5,1981, to his African American father Reginald Williams, and Swedish mother Johanna Chase. He is best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on ABC’s primetime medical drama Grey’s Anatomy. He has also appeared on Law and Order, Beyond the Break, The Cabin in the Woods, and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.
Prior to beginning a career in acting, he followed in his parents footsteps by graduating from Temple University with a double major in African American Studies and Film and Media Arts. Williams then taught high school in the Philadelphia public school system for six years before his career skyrocketed.
In 2005, Williams began to study acting and was chosen to participate in the New York Actors Showcase presented by ABC Television. His acting career took off with an appearance on Law & Order as the character Kwame and then with a role on the show Greek. It was in 2009, during season seven of Grey’s Anatomy, that Williams began appearing as Dr. Jackson Avery which would then lead to him being named as a regular on the show.
Throughout his career, Williams has received recognition for both his acting and his looks. In 2011, he was named the TV Actor of the Year at the Young Hollywood Awards. He has also been ranked highly by viewers for his handsome features on a popular television viewing poll. Along with acting, Williams has also been successful in modeling, voice acting and aspects of activism.
Skylar Wooten, Project RACE Teens Vice President
Picture by Taylour Paige, https://www.justjared.com