Cress Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cress Williams
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Williams at San Diego Comic-Con in 2017
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| Born | July 26, 1970 |
| Education | Fullerton College University of California, Los Angeles (BA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 4 |
Cress Williams (born July 26, 1970) is an American actor. He is well-known for his roles in TV shows like Prison Break and Close to Home. More recently, he played Mayor Lavon Hayes in Hart of Dixie and the main character in Black Lightning.
Williams also had important roles as Terrence "Scooter" Williams on Living Single. He was also Inspector Antwon Babcock on the show Nash Bridges.
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Early Life and Education
Cress Williams was born in Heidelberg, West Germany. His parents were American. He studied at Fullerton College before going to the University of California, Los Angeles. There, he earned a degree in theater.
Acting Career Highlights
Williams started acting in college plays in 1990. He performed in William Shakespeare's Othello. He also appeared in a play called Red Noses.
Since 1994, Williams has been in many TV series. These include popular shows like Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Beverly Hills, 90210, and NYPD Blue. He also appeared in ER and Grey's Anatomy.
He played a character named Talak'talan in an episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Later, he joined the cast of Prison Break as Wyatt Mathewson. In the final season of Friday Night Lights, he played Ornette Howard.
Williams starred with Rachel Bilson in Hart of Dixie. He played Lavon Hayes, a former football star who became mayor.
From 2018 to 2021, Williams took on superhero roles. He played Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning in The CW's Black Lightning TV series. This show became part of the Arrowverse superhero universe. He also voiced John Henry Irons in animated movies like The Death of Superman. After Black Lightning ended, he appeared as the character again on The Flash.
Personal Life
Cress Williams married actress Simbi Khali in 2000. They had two children together. The couple later divorced in 2011. In June 2013, Williams married Kristen Torrianni. They also have two children.
Film and Television Roles
Williams has acted in many films and TV shows. Here are some of his notable roles:
Film Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | The Doom Generation | Peanut |
| 1996 | 2 Days in the Valley | Golfer |
| 1998 | Fallen | Detective Joe |
| 1999 | Never Been Kissed | George |
| 2004 | Little Black Book | Phil |
| 2014 | In Your Eyes | Jake |
| 2018 | The Death of Superman | John Henry Irons (voice) |
| 2019 | Reign of the Supermen | John Henry Irons (voice) |
| 2021 | Crime Story | Billy |
Television Roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1993–98 | Living Single | Terrence 'Scooter' Williams |
| 1993–94 | Beverly Hills, 90210 | D'Shawn Hardell |
| 1994 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Talak'talan |
| 1995 | NYPD Blue | Silky |
| 1996 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Baron Sunday |
| 1998–2008 | ER | Officer Reggie Moore |
| 2000–01 | Nash Bridges | Inspector Antwon Babcock |
| 2005–06 | Veronica Mars | Nathan Woods |
| 2006–07 | Close to Home | Detective Ed Williams |
| 2006–08 | Grey's Anatomy | Tucker Jones |
| 2008 | Prison Break | Wyatt Matthewson |
| 2010–11 | Friday Night Lights | Ornette Howard |
| 2011–15 | Hart of Dixie | Lavon Hayes |
| 2018–21 | Black Lightning | Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning |
| 2019–21 | The Flash | Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning |
| 2020 | Legends of Tomorrow | Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning |
| 2025 | Eyes of Wakanda | The Lion (voice) |
