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Cress Williams
Heidelberg, Germany
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 d…
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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
Movies and shows, newest first
-
2026
Oh Season
Movie Ray
-
2025
Eyes of Wakanda
TV show The Lion (voice)
-
2024
Dead Wrong
Movie Paul Drake
-
2022
What Remains
Movie Marshall
-
2021
Crime Story
Movie Jimmy
-
2020
The Violent Heart
Movie Lee
-
2019
The Death and Return of Superman
Movie John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
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2019
Reign of the Supermen
Movie John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
-
2019
The Death of Superman
Movie John Henry Irons (voice)
-
2018
Black Lightning
TV show Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
-
2017
Steve
TV show Self
-
2017
Lowriders
Movie Williams
-
2016
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
TV show Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
-
2015
Code Black
TV show Cole Guthrie
-
2014
The Flash
TV show Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
-
2014
In Your Eyes
Movie Jake
More credits
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2011
Hart of Dixie
TV show Lavon Hayes
-
2005
Criminal Minds
TV show Davonte Faust
-
2005
Close to Home
TV show Ed Williams
-
2005
Grey's Anatomy
TV show Tucker Jones
-
2004
House
TV show Hospital Attorney
-
2004
Veronica Mars
TV show Nathan Woods
-
2004
Little Black Book
Movie Phil
-
2003
Cold Case
TV show Jimmy Clarke
-
2003
The Lyon's Den
TV show Eddie
-
2002
The Dogwalker
Movie K.C.
-
2002
Watching Ellie
TV show Dexter
-
2001
Pursuit of Happiness
Movie Ace
-
2000
Masquerade
Movie Marcus
-
1999
The West Wing
TV show Lester
-
1999
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
TV show Sam Dufoy
-
1999
Never Been Kissed
Movie George
-
1998
Sports Night
TV show Steve Sarris
-
1998
Creature
TV show Tall Man
-
1998
Fallen
Movie Detective Joe
-
1997
L.A. Johns
Movie Bill Allen
-
1997
Leaving L.A.
TV show Dudley Adams
-
1997
Home Invasion
Movie Freemont
-
1996
Rolling Thunder
Movie 'Grey' Toussaint
-
1996
2 Days in the Valley
Movie Golfer
