Tonya Williams facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tonya Williams
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Williams at the 2013 Zanzibar Film Festival
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| Born |
Tonya Maxine Williams
July 12, 1958 |
| Nationality | British, Canadian, American |
| Other names | Tonya Lee Williams |
| Alma mater | Ryerson University |
| Occupation | Actress, producer, director, activist |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Robert Simpson
(m. 1983; div. 1991) |
Tonya Williams is a talented Canadian actress, producer, and activist. She was born on July 12, 1958. Many people know her as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters from the American TV show The Young and the Restless. She played this role for many years, from 1990 to 2005, and then again from 2007 to 2012. Tonya Williams is also the person who started and leads the Reelworld Film Festival.
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Early Life and Beginnings
Tonya Williams was born in London, England. Her parents were from Jamaica. When she was very young, she lived in both London and Kingston, Jamaica. At age five, she became sick with rheumatic fever. After that, she and her mother moved to Birmingham. In 1969, her family moved to Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, where they settled down.
As a teenager, Tonya worked as a model for Eaton's catalogues. She also danced on a TV show called Boogie! on Citytv. In 1977, she won the title of Miss Black Ontario.
Acting Career and Achievements
Tonya Williams started her television career as a host. From 1980 to 1983, she hosted a Canadian children's show called Polka Dot Door. She had finished her studies at Ryerson Polytechnical Institute in 1979.
After Polka Dot Door, she appeared in other TV series like Check it Out! and Generations. Her role on Generations helped her get the part on The Young and the Restless. This role became her most famous and successful one. Tonya Williams won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series twice, in 2000 and 2002. These awards celebrate the achievements of people of color in entertainment.
In March 2004, Tonya Williams hosted a special TV program called Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee on CBC Television.
Reelworld Film Festival
Tonya Williams is the founder and leader of the Reelworld Film Festival. This is an important annual film festival held in Toronto, Canada. The festival shows movies and TV shows made by talented people from many different ethnic backgrounds. It helps to give a voice to diverse communities in the film industry.
In 2024, Tonya Williams received the Changemaker Award from the Academy of Canadian Cinema and Television. This award recognized her amazing work with Reelworld. In January 2025, she was also honored with the Company 3 TFCA Luminary Award from the Toronto Film Critics Association. This award celebrated her efforts to support people of color in the Canadian film industry. She chose film and television producer Leena Minifie to receive a special "pay it forward" grant that came with the award.
Awards and Recognition
Tonya Williams has received many awards and nominations for her work:
- 1996: Nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
- 2000: Won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
- 2002: Won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
- 2005: Received the ACTRA National Award of Excellence
- 2012: Received the Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award for her contributions to film and television.
- 2012: Named a Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Winner
- 2024: Won the Changemaker Award at the 12th Canadian Screen Awards
- 2025: Named an Officer of the Order of Canada, which is a very high honor in Canada.
