Eyes of Wakanda
2025 · TV Show
as The Lion (voice)
Cress Williams
1970-07-26
•
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 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
Dead Wrong
2024 · Movie
as Paul Drake
What Remains
2022 · Movie
as Marshall
Crime Story
2021 · Movie
as Jimmy
The Violent Heart
2020 · Movie
as Lee
The Death of Superman
2019 · Movie
as John Henry Irons (voice)
Reign of the Supermen
2019 · Movie
as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
The Death and Return of Superman
2019 · Movie
as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
Black Lightning
2018 · TV Show
as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
Lowriders
2017 · Movie
as Williams
Steve
2017 · TV Show
as Self
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
2016 · TV Show
as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
Code Black
2015 · TV Show
as Cole Guthrie
In Your Eyes
2014 · Movie
as Jake
The Flash
2014 · TV Show
as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
Hart of Dixie
2011 · TV Show
as Lavon Hayes
Grey's Anatomy
2005 · TV Show
as Tucker Jones
Close to Home
2005 · TV Show
as Ed Williams
Criminal Minds
2005 · TV Show
as Davonte Faust
Little Black Book
2004 · Movie
as Phil
House
2004 · TV Show
as Hospital Attorney
Veronica Mars
2004 · TV Show
as Nathan Woods
Cold Case
2003 · TV Show
as Jimmy Clarke
The Lyon's Den
2003 · TV Show
as Eddie
The Dogwalker
2002 · Movie
as K.C.
Watching Ellie
2002 · TV Show
as Dexter
Pursuit of Happiness
2001 · Movie
as Ace
Masquerade
2000 · Movie
as Marcus
Never Been Kissed
1999 · Movie
as George
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
1999 · TV Show
as Sam Dufoy
The West Wing
1999 · TV Show
as Lester
Fallen
1998 · Movie
as Detective Joe
Creature
1998 · TV Show
as Tall Man
Sports Night
1998 · TV Show
as Steve Sarris
Home Invasion
1997 · Movie
as Freemont
L.A. Johns
1997 · Movie
as Bill Allen
Leaving L.A.
1997 · TV Show
as Dudley Adams
Rolling Thunder
1996 · Movie
as 'Grey' Toussaint
2 Days in the Valley
1996 · Movie
as Golfer
Nash Bridges
1996 · TV Show
as Antwon Babcock
The Doom Generation
1995 · Movie
as Peanut
JAG
1995 · TV Show
as Captain Overton
No image
If Not for You
1995 · TV Show
as Ahmed
Touched by an Angel
1994 · TV Show
as Riley
ER
1994 · TV Show
as Officer Reggie Moore, Reggie Moore
NYPD Blue
1993 · TV Show
as Silky
Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
1993 · TV Show
as Talak'talan
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
1993 · TV Show
as Baron Sunday
Living Single
1993 · TV Show
as Terrence
Beverly Hills, 90210
1990 · TV Show
as D'Shawn Hardell
No image
Reimagined
· Movie
as Ray
A Music City Story
· Movie
