William Christian (actor) facts for kids

William Leonard Christian (born September 30, 1955) is an American actor who has appeared in many TV shows and plays. He is well-known for playing Police Chief Derek Frye on the TV show All My Children for many years. He also played TR Coates on Days of Our Lives.

Early Life and Learning

William Christian was born in Washington, D.C.. He first discovered acting when he was in elementary school at St. Francis De Sales. Later, he went to Archbishop Carroll High School, where he continued to be involved in theater.

He then studied at the Catholic University of America, where he learned a lot about acting and theater. He earned his first college degree there. After that, he went to the American University and earned a higher degree, focusing on drama.

Acting Career

In the early 1980s, William Christian moved to New York to pursue his acting dreams. He joined a group called the Actors Information Project, where he performed in many stage plays. He also appeared in TV commercials for big companies like American Express and Burger King.

In 1989, he acted in a play called The Member of the Wedding alongside the famous actress Esther Rolle. William Christian also made guest appearances on many popular TV shows. These include The Cosby Show, ER, Malcolm in the Middle, Spin City, Hand of God, Matlock, Desperate Housewives, and Monk.

In 1990, he got a role as Dr. Marshall Redd on the TV show Another World. Soon after, he began playing Derek Frye on All My Children, a role he kept from 1990 to 2007. For his work on All My Children, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 1991. This award recognizes excellent actors in daytime TV shows.

In 1995, William Christian spoke at a special event called the Youth Forum Against Violence in Springfield, Massachusetts. He gave a speech to young people, encouraging them to avoid violence. In 1996, he appeared in another play called The Boys in the Band.

William Christian first appeared on Days of Our Lives in 2018 in a small, uncredited role. In 2022, he was cast in a bigger role as TR Coates on the same show. He started appearing as TR Coates on January 26, 2022. He decided to take on this role after talking with the show's co-executive producer, Albert Alarr. William Christian lives in Boston, Massachusetts, with his family, and he says they encouraged him to take on the role.

Family Life

William Christian married Gail Samuel in 2002. In 2021, Gail Samuel made history by becoming the first female president and CEO of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The couple welcomed their first child in the summer of 2005. They have two sons named Samuel and Orlando. William Christian currently lives in Boston with his wife and sons.

Movies and TV Shows

William Christian has acted in several movies and many television shows throughout his career.

Movies

• 1989: The January Man as Tim
• 2004: Nine Lives as Ralph
• 2009: Three Takes as Bradley (a short film)
• 2009: Contradictions of the Heart as Ross (a movie released directly to video)
• 2010: The Au Pairs as Mr. Dietrich (a short film)
• 2019: Words to Live By as Larry (a short film)
• 2020: Love & ... as Charlie Gray

Television Shows

• 1985: The Cosby Show as Mr. Robertson in the episode "Vanessa's New Class"
• 1988: Tattingers as Oscar in the "Pilot" episode
• 1989: Another World as Marshall Reed (a role he played often)
• 1990: All My Children as Derek Frye (a main character from 1990–2005)
• 1997 & 2001: Law & Order as Shawn Taitt and later as Detective Regan
• 1999: Spin City as Man in the episode "Klumageddon (Part 1)"
• 2003: Malcolm in the Middle as Don in the episode "Daycare"
• 2003 & 2008: Without a Trace as Bernard and later as Steve
• 2008: ER as Hayward
• 2008: Moonlight as Ryan Gold
• 2008: Prison Break as Middleton
• 2008: Hannah Montana as Edward Johnson
• 2008: Desperate Housewives as EMT #1
• 2009: Monk as Brett
• 2011: I'm in the Band as Pilot
• 2017: Hand of God as Manny (appeared in 4 episodes)
• 2017: A Neighbor's Deception as Dean O'Brien (a TV movie)
• 2018 & 2022: Days of Our Lives as Manny (a small role) and later as TR Coates (a main character)
• 2020: How to Get Away with Murder as DOJ Attorney
• 2020: Another Mother as Detective Cates (a TV movie)
• 2020: The Bay as Dr. Marques Abraham
• 2021: Good Girls as Store Owner