Cress Williams
Born: 1970-07-26 in Heidelberg, Germany
Known For: Acting
Biography
Cress Williams is an American actor born on July 26, 1970, in Heidelberg, West Germany, to American parents. He studied acting at Fullerton College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the University of California, Los Angeles. Williams began his acting career performing in college plays, notably in productions like Shakespeare's "Othello" in 1990 before moving on to television and film roles. He is best known for his diverse roles on television, including Terrence "Scooter" Williams on the sitcom "Living Single," Inspector Antwon Babcock on "Nash Bridges," and Detective Ed Williams on the drama "Close to Home." He gained further prominence as Mayor Lavon Hayes in The CW series "Hart of Dixie" and especially as the lead character Jefferson Pierce/Black Lightning in the superhero TV series "Black Lightning" (2018-2021). Williams has also had guest roles on numerous popular shows including "Prison Break," where he played the assassin Wyatt Mathewson, along with appearances in "Friday Night Lights," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: SVU," among others. In addition to live-action roles, he has voiced the character John Henry Irons in animated films related to the DC universe. Off screen, Williams has been married twice and has four children. His career spans from the early 1990s to the present, marked by a steady presence in television dramas, action series, and superhero fiction, earning him recognition as a versatile and reliable actor in the entertainment industry
Filmography
2025
- Eyes of Wakanda as The Lion (voice)
2024
- Dead Wrong as Paul Drake
2022
- What Remains as Marshall
2021
- Crime Story as Jimmy
2020
- The Violent Heart as Lee
2019
- The Death and Return of Superman as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
- Reign of the Supermen as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
2018
- Black Lightning as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- The Death of Superman as John Henry Irons (voice)
2017
- Lowriders as Williams
2016
- DC's Legends of Tomorrow as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
2015
- Code Black as Cole Guthrie
2014
- The Flash as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- In Your Eyes as Jake
2011
- Hart of Dixie as Lavon Hayes
2005
- Grey's Anatomy as Tucker Jones
- Close to Home as Ed Williams
2004
- House as Hospital Attorney
- Veronica Mars as Nathan Woods
- Little Black Book as Phil
2003
- Cold Case as Jimmy Clarke
- The Lyon's Den as Eddie
2002
- The Dogwalker as K.C.
2001
- Pursuit of Happiness as Ace
2000
- Masquerade as Marcus
1999
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Sam Dufoy
- The West Wing as Lester
- Never Been Kissed as George
1997
- L.A. Johns as Bill Allen
- Home Invasion as Freemont
- Leaving L.A. as Dudley Adams
1996
- Nash Bridges as Antwon Babcock
- Rolling Thunder as 'Grey' Toussaint
- 2 Days in the Valley as Golfer
1995
- JAG as Captain Overton
- The Doom Generation as Peanut
- If Not for You as Ahmed
1994
- ER as Officer Reggie Moore
- Touched by an Angel as Riley
1993
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine as Talak'talan
- NYPD Blue as Silky
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as Baron Sunday
- Living Single as Terrence
1990
- Beverly Hills, 90210 as D'Shawn Hardell