Jesse Williams
Actor
Birth Name: Jesse Wesley Williams
Birth Date: August 5, 1981
Age: 43 years old
Birth Place: Chicago, Illinois
Best known for portraying Dr. Jackson Avery on the award-winning, hospital-set primetime soap opera "Grey's Anatomy" (ABC 2005- ), Jesse Williams first pursued acting after a brief stint as a high school teacher in Philadelphia, where he had attended Temple University and dabbled in professional modeling. Williams landed his first television role in 2006, with a one-off appearance in the long-running, New York City-set crime drama "Law & Order" (NBC 1990-2010).
While in New York, Williams won Off-Broadway roles, appearing in "The American Dream" and "The Sandbox," two one-acts written and directed by heralded playwright Edward Albee. Then in 2008, Williams made his film debut with a supporting part in the friendship-centered teen film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" (2008) The film proved to be a breakthrough for Williams, and he followed it with a supporting role in the gritty cop drama "Brooklyn's Finest" (2009).
He also scored recurring roles on television in the beach-set drama series "Beyond the Break" (The N, 2006-09) and on "Grey's Anatomy." After a fiery season finale, Dr. Avery was upgraded from a recurring character to a series regular, and Williams became a vibrant part of the cast.
When not shooting "Grey's Anatomy," Williams continued to pursue film work. In 2012, Williams tackled a new genre, co-starring opposite Chris Hemsworth in the horror-thriller "The Cabin in the Woods," penned by Joss Whedon. This was followed by a supporting role in "The Butler" (2013) and a starring role in drag racing drama "Snake and Mongoose" (2013).
Williams became increasingly known for his political outspokenness as police killings of young black males became an increasingly dramatic national problem. His passionate acceptance speech of a humanitarian award at the 2016 BET Awards was both praised and vilified across the political spectrum.
Williams next co-starred in the thriller "Money" (2016) and appeared in a supporting role in Zoe Lister Jones' indie comedy "Band Aid" (2017).
Credits
Distilled
The Great Lillian HallStream
Your Place or MineStream
Secret HeadquartersStream
CBS Mornings
Only Murders in the BuildingStream
Only Murders in the BuildingStream
The Drew Barrymore ShowStream
TWDU Extra
GMA3: What You Need to Know
Bottomless Brunch at Colman's
With Drawn Arms
With Drawn Arms
Two Distant Strangers
Today With Hoda & Jenna
Desus & Mero
Jacob's LadderStream
Selah and the Spades
Random Acts of Violence
Random Acts of Violence
Today 3rd Hour
Station 19Stream
The Joel McHale Show With Joel McHaleStream
Survivors Guide to Prison
Live with Kelly and Ryan
The Obama Years: The Power of Words
Rebel Hearts: Harry Belanfonte and Friends
Taking the Stage: African American Music and Stories That Changed America
Band Aid
Desus & MeroStream
America Divided
To Tell the TruthStream
Money
The Daily Show with Trevor NoahStream
The Late Show With Stephen ColbertStream
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Celebrity Name Game
Late Night With Seth MeyersStream
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy FallonStream
The Queen Latifah Show
Grey's Anatomy: Extras
The Arsenio Hall Show
The Real
Snake and Mongoose
Snake and Mongoose
Lee Daniels' The ButlerStream
The Eric Andre ShowStream
Finding Your RootsStream
CBS This Morning
LIVE with Kelly
The Chew
Dish NationStream
The Cabin In The WoodsStream
The Mo'Nique Show
Brooklyn's FinestStream
The Bonnie Hunt Show
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2Stream
Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda
GreekStream
Grey's AnatomyStream
Grey's AnatomyStream
Grey's AnatomyStream
The Insider
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream
The View
Good Morning America
Photos
News aboutJesse Williams
Critics Choice Awards 2025 Red Carpet Arrivals: Sarah Michelle Gellar & More (PHOTOS)
What 20 ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Stars Have Said About Their Shocking Exits, From Sarah Drew to Eric Dane
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 4: Who’s Returning & Who’s New?
13 Best ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Couples, Ranked
How Cristina, Izzie & 7 More ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Characters Could Return
Pick Me, Choose Me, Love Me: Who Is the Ultimate ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Couple? (POLL)
10 Longest-Serving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Stars — Bokhee Included!
‘Only Murders in the Building’: 8 Iconic New York City Locations Seen in the Show
‘Finding Your Roots’: Everything to Know About Star-Packed Season 10
Spoiler Alert
‘Only Murders in the Building’: Who Killed Ben Glenroy? (POLL)
Review
Roush Review: Curtain Up on a Theatrical Season of ‘Only Murders in the Building’
Preview
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Boss on Why the Stakes ‘Have Never Been Higher’ in Season 3
‘Only Murders in the Building’ Season 3 Premiere Date Confirmed by Hulu
‘Only Murders in the Building’: Jesse Williams Joins the Cast for Season 3
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Jesse Williams to Guest Star & Direct in Season 19
15 TV Stars Who Appeared on ‘Greek,’ Now 15 Years Old
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Celebrates 400 Episodes — Jackson & April Return in Finale Promo (VIDEO)
Finale
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Will Meredith Leave Seattle in the Season 18 Finale?
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Jesse Williams & Sarah Drew to Return for the Season 18 Finale
Jesse Williams Says ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Had Become ‘Safe,’ Talks Crafting His Exit
10 Shows With Shocking (Non-Death) Exits in 2021
Jesse Williams Sets First Post-‘Grey’s Anatomy’ TV Role at Hulu
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Cast Says Goodbye to Jesse Williams & Greg Germann
What Do You Think of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Bringing Back Former Couples for Exit Storylines? (POLL)
Jesse Williams Leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Fans and Co-Stars React
Spoiler Alert
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 17 Episode 14: A Fan Favorite Is Leaving the Show (RECAP)
Sarah Drew Debunks ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Fan Theory About April & Jackson
Preview
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Sarah Drew Previews April’s Return & Reunion With Jackson
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Teases Jackson & April Reunion: ‘I’ve Thought This Through’ (VIDEO)
April Returns to ‘Grey’s Anatomy’… to Reunite With Jackson? (PHOTOS)
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Sarah Drew and Jesse Williams Reunite as April Returns (PHOTO)
What Happened on ‘Grey’s’ & ‘Station 19’ Winter Finale?: Catch Up Before the Spring Crossover Premiere
Spoiler Alert
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Winter Finale: Mer’s ‘COVID High’, & Maggie’s High Note (RECAP)
13 Surprising ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Hookups & Close Calls (VIDEO)
Who’s the Next Doc to Go on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’? See Our Odds (PHOTOS)
Will Jesse Williams’ Broadway Debut Affect Jackson on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
8 Side Acting Gigs of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Stars (PHOTOS)
Jesse Williams Joins ‘Little Fires Everywhere’ — What About Jackson on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
Why Jackson Probably Isn’t Dead After the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Season 15 Finale
Spoiler Alert
Are Maggie & Jackson Really Over on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
Is Jesse Williams’ Jackson Avery Leaving ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
Jesse Williams Reflects on Jackson & April’s Relationship Ahead of Season 15
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Fans React to Jessica Capshaw & Sarah Drew’s Exit
Will April and Jackson Finally Be Together on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’?
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Star Jesse Williams Previews a ‘Pivotal’ New Adventure for Dr. Avery
Exclusive
‘Grey’s Anatomy’: Will Kepner Sink or Swim When She Steps into Grey’s Shoes? (VIDEO)
Watchlist Easy access to only the shows you care about — all in one simple place
Alerts Only important notifications — when a show is returning, when it becomes available to stream, and more.
Special Offers Exclusive products we release related to your favorite shows and streaming services