Jesse Williams
Biography
Jesse Wesley Williams is an American actor, director, producer and activist. He played Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy (2009–22) and has appeared in films such as The Cabin in the Woods (2012) and The Butler (2013). He has provided voice acting and motion capture for Markus in the video game Detroit: Become Human (2018). He served as an executive producer of the Academy Award-winning short, Two Distant Strangers (2020) and the Tony Award-winning revival of Take Me Out (2022), the latter of which he was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Known For
TV
Grey's Anatomy
Jackson Avery
2005
TV
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009
TV
Law & Order
Kwame
1990
TV
The Daily Show
Self
1996
TV
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon
Self
2014
TV
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self
2015
TV
Saturday Night Live
Self - Cameo (uncredited)
1975
TV
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self - Guest
1988
TV
Only Murders in the Building
Tobert
2021
TV
Station 19
Dr. Jackson Avery
2018
TV
Desus & Mero
Self - Illustrious Guest
2019
TV
Greek
Drew Collins
2007
TV
Finding Your Roots
2012
TV
The Eric Andre Show
Self
2012
TV
To Tell the Truth
Self - Panelist
2016
TV
Celebrity Name Game
Self
2014
TV
A Black Lady Sketch Show
Isaac
2019
Film
The Great Lillian Hall
David Flemming
2024
TV
Shifting Gears
Andy
2025
TV
The Joel McHale Show with Joel McHale
Self - Special Guest
2018
Filmography
2026FilmMontmartreas Toussaint2025TVHotel Costieraas Daniel De Luca2025FilmWhat We Hideas Sheriff Ben Jeffries2025TVShifting Gearsas Andy2024FilmThe Great Lillian Hallas David Flemming2024FilmFollowing Harryas Self2023FilmYour Place or Mineas Theo2022FilmSecret Headquartersas Irons2021TVOnly Murders in the Buildingas Tobert2020FilmWith Drawn Armsas Self2020TVBottomless Brunch at Colman'sas Self2020TVLittle Fires Everywhereas Joe Ryan2019FilmJacob's Ladderas Isaac 'Ike' Singer2019TVA Black Lady Sketch Showas Isaac2019FilmRandom Acts of Violenceas Todd Walkley2019TVDesus & Meroas Self - Illustrious Guest2019FilmSelah and the Spadesas Headmaster Banton2018TVBlack Hollywood: 'They've Gotta Have Us'as Self2018FilmUnited We Stand: The Ali Summitas narrator2018TVStation 19as Dr. Jackson Avery2018FilmSurvivor's Guide to Prisonas Self2018TVThe Joel McHale Show with Joel McHaleas Self - Special Guest2017FilmBand Aidas Skyler2017FilmThe Obama Years: The Power of Wordsas Self - Narrator (voice)2016FilmBET Presents Love & Happiness: An Obama Celebrationas Self2016TVAmerica Dividedas Self2016TVTo Tell the Truthas Self - Panelist2016FilmStay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movementas Self2016FilmMoneyas Sean2015TVThe Late Show with Stephen Colbertas Self2015TVThe Spoils Before Dyingas Parker2014TVCelebrity Name Gameas Self2014TVThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallonas Self2013FilmThey Die by Dawnas John Taylor2013FilmSnake & Mongooseas Don "The Snake" Prudomme2013FilmThe Butleras Rev. James Lawson2013FilmRich Girl Problemsas Peter2012TVThe Eric Andre Showas Self2012FilmThe Cabin in the Woodsas Holden McCrea2012TVFinding Your Roots2010FilmDirty Dancing 3: Capoeira Nights2010FilmBrooklyn's Finestas E. Quinlan2009TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenas Self - Guest2009FilmWashingtonienneas Keya2008FilmThe Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2as Leo2007TVGreekas Drew Collins2006TVBeyond the Breakas Eric Medina2005TVGrey's Anatomyas Jackson Avery1996TVThe Daily Showas Self1990TVLaw & Orderas Kwame1988TVLIVE with Kelly and Markas Self - Guest1975TVSaturday Night Liveas Self - Cameo (uncredited)1949TVThe Emmy Awardsas Self—FilmLegacyas Troy