Jesse Williams ( actor ) - wikipedia Jesse Williams ( actor ) Jesse Williams Jesse Williams, New York City, 2008 Jesse Wesley Williams ( 1981 - 08 - 06 ) August 6, 1981 ( age 36 ) Chicago, Illinois, United States Alma mater Temple University Occupation Actor, model, activist Years active 2006 -- present Spouse ( s ) Aryn Drake - Lee ( 2012 - 2017 ) Children Jesse Wesley Williams ( born August 5, 1981 ) is an American actor, model, and activist, best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC Television series Grey 's Anatomy. He also appeared in the 2013 film Lee Daniels ' The Butler as civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson. His other roles have included Holden in The Cabin in the Woods ( 2012 ) ; Officer Eddie Quinlan in Brooklyn 's Finest ( 2009 ) ; and Leo, Lena 's boyfriend, in the film sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 ( 2008 ). Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 2.1 Television 2.2 Theater 2.3 Film 2.4 Activism 2.5 Modeling 3 Personal life 4 Filmography 5 References 6 Footnotes 7 External links Early life Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois, the son of Johanna Chase, a professional potter, and Reginald Williams. Williams has stated that his mother is Swedish and his father is African American, with some Seminole descent, from Georgia. He has two younger brothers who specialize in visual arts. Williams graduated from Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1998. After high school, his parents each began teaching in the public school system, while his mother maintained her work in pottery. Williams graduated from Temple University with a double major in African American Studies and Film and Media Arts. Following in the footsteps of his parents, he taught high school in the Philadelphia public school system for six years, where he used his degree earned at Temple to teach American Studies, African Studies, and English. Career In 2005, Williams began to study acting and was chosen to participate in the New York Actors Showcase presented by ABC Television, one of 14 actors chosen from among over 800 individuals who auditioned. Since 2006, he has appeared in a number of television series, films, and theatre productions. In 2012, he established a production company, farWord Inc. In May 2012, a fan campaign was organized to try to influence film executives to cast him in the role of Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games : Catching Fire. This news resulted in some Hunger Games fans to protest casting decisions made by the film executives. In 2013, Williams wrote an opinion piece for CNN that analyzed the film Django Unchained. Later that year, he narrated the audio version of the book The Bane Chronicles : What Really Happened In Peru by Cassandra Clare and Sarah Rees Brennan. Television In 2006, Williams appeared in an episode of Law & Order, portraying the character Kwame. He also appeared in the role of Drew Collins, in two episodes of the ABC Family series Greek. He also had a recurring role in eight episodes of the TV series Beyond the Break as Officer Eric Medina. On October 15, 2009, Williams began appearing as Jackson Avery in the ABC television series Grey 's Anatomy. On June 8, 2010, it was announced that Williams would be a series regular, starting in season 7. BuddyTV ranked him No. 6 on its `` TV 's 100 Sexiest Men of 2010 '' list and No. 11 in 2011. Theater Williams appeared in the theatre productions of The American Dream and The Sandbox at Cherry Lane Theatre in Greenwich Village in New York City. Both plays were written and directed by playwright Edward Albee. He has also served as a guest director for student productions at the Urban Arts Partnership 24 Hour Plays Off - Broadway, at the request of Rosie Perez and Anna Strout. His theater work also includes Tennessee Williams 's The Glass Menagerie off Broadway. Film In 2008, Williams made his film debut in the supporting role of Leo in the sequel to the 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Two years later, he appeared in Brooklyn 's Finest, starring Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes and Ellen Barkin, released March 5, 2010. In 2008, Williams signed on for his first leading role, as Holden McCrea in the MGM / United Artists horror film The Cabin in the Woods. Produced by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard, it was released April 13, 2012. On June 9, 2015, Variety announced that Jamie Bamber, Kellan Lutz, Jesse Williams, and Jess Weixler had joined the cast of the thriller film Money, directed by Martin Rosete and produced by Atit Shah. In May 2016, Williams was executive producer of the documentary film Stay Woke : The Black Lives Matter Movement. Activism Williams is the youngest member of the board of directors at The Advancement Project, a civil rights think tank and advocacy group. He is also the executive producer of Question Bridge : Black Males, a multifaceted media project, art exhibition, student and teacher curriculum and website, focused on the black male identity and the diversity within the demographic. He has written articles for CNN and The Huffington Post, and has been a guest on Wolf Blitzer 's The Situation Room. In June 2016, Williams won the humanitarian award at the 2016 BET Awards, delivering a speech highlighting racial injustice and police brutality. As a result of his speech, there are dueling petitions : one to have Williams fired from Grey 's Anatomy and one to keep him on the series. Modeling Williams occasionally worked as a model during college, but never considered pursuing it as a career. He modeled for Kenneth Cole Productions, L.L. Bean, and Tommy Hilfiger Corporation. He can be seen as the love interest of R&B singer Rihanna in the music video for her single `` Russian Roulette '' from her 2009 album Rated R. He also appears in the music video for Estelle 's song, `` Fall In Love '', from the album All of Me. Then, in 2012 Williams modeled briefly for Lane Bryant. Personal life In September 2012, Williams married longtime girlfriend Aryn Drake - Lee. They have two children together. In April 2017, it was reported that Williams had filed for divorce. Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Leo 2009 Brooklyn 's Finest Eddie Quinlain 2012 The Cabin in the Woods Holden McCrea 2012 Question Bridge : Black Males Executive producer 2013 The Butler James Lawson 2013 Snake and Mongoose Don `` The Snake '' Prudomme 2013 They Die by Dawn John Taylor 2016 Money Sean 2017 Band Aid Skyler 2017 Jacob 's Ladder Post-production Television Year Title Role Notes 2006 Law & Order Kwame 1 episode 2006 Beyond the Break Eric Medina 8 episodes 2008 Greek Drew `` The Hotness Monster '' Collins 2 episodes 2009 The Washingtonienne Keya HBO ( not picked up ) 2009 -- present Grey 's Anatomy Dr. Jackson Avery Recurring ( Season 6 ) Main cast ( Season 7 -- present ) Nominated -- People 's Choice Awards, Favorite Dramatic TV Actor ( 2016 ) Pending -- People 's Choice Awards, Favorite Dramatic TV Actor ( 2017 ) Seattle Grace : Message of Hope Dr. Jackson Avery 1 season ; 6 episodes 2013 Sesame Street Himself Guest cast 2016 The Eric Andre Show Himself Episode : `` Jesse Williams ; Jillian Michaels '' Music Videos Year Title Artist Role Notes 2006 `` When Your Heart Stops Beating '' + 44 Boy with the Girl 2009 `` Russian Roulette '' Rihanna The `` Love Interest '' Video Games Year Title Role Notes 2018 Detroit : Become Human Markus References Jump up ^ `` Jesse Williams Drops More Gems ''. BET. Viacom. June 29, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2017. Jump up ^ `` Jesse Williams ''. TVGuide.com. Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Adams, Patty ( October 26, 2009 ). `` The Betty Interview : Jesse Williams ''. BettyConfidential.com. Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved March 13, 2013. ^ Jump up to : David B. Boyce, Standard - Times correspondent ( November 13, 2005 ). `` Dartmouth native wins spot in ABC acting showcase ''. SouthCoastTod ay.com. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Jesse Williams learns and plays history -- Daily Press ''. Articles.dailypress.com. September 18, 2010. Retrieved October 29, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Jesse Williams Is Not Just a Pretty Face ''. Global Grind. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Django, in chains - CNN.com ''. CNN. February 21, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` Jackson Avery : Played by Jesse Williams ) ''. Grey 's Anatomy official site ( ABC. Archived from the original on May 15, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Catching Fire Casting Scoop : Fan Fave Jesse Williams Talks Finnick ! ''. E ! Online. May 2, 2012. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ Anna Breslaw ( May 5, 2012 ). `` Another Racist Shitstorm Brews Over Casting Hunger Games ' Finnick ''. Jezebel.com. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Django, in chains ''. CNN.com. February 21, 2013. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ Rosenfield, Kat ( April 17, 2013 ). `` Jesse Williams Spills The Beans On His ' Bane Chronicles ' Voice Gig ''. MTV. Retrieved April 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Jesse Williams ' Official Website : Filmography ''. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved 2013 - 03 - 13. CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown ( link ) Jump up ^ `` Jesse Williams cast in ' Grey 's Anatomy ' -- Live Feed ''. Hollywoodreporter.com. August 28, 2009. Archived from the original on January 14, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ Fowler, Tara. `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' exclusive : Jesse Williams gets full - time upgrade Inside TV EW.com ''. Ausiellofiles.ew.com. Archived from the original on June 9, 2010. Retrieved March 13, 2013. Jump up ^ `` TV 's 100 Sexiest Men of 2010 ''. Buddytv.com. Retrieved January 13, 2012. Jump up ^ `` TV 's 100 Sexiest Men of 2011 ''. Buddytv.com. Retrieved January 13, 2012. ^ Jump up to : `` Jesse Williams ' Official Website : Bio ''. Archived from the original on July 30, 2011. Retrieved 2010 - 09 - 12. CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown ( link ) Jump up ^ Hopewell, John ; Mayorga, Emilio ( June 9, 2015 ). `` Bamber, Lutz, Williams, Weixler Set For ' Money ' ( EXCLUSIVE ) ''. Variety. Jump up ^ `` BET 's Award - Winning The Truth Series Returns with the Premiere of an Original Documentary on the Rise of the Black Lives Matter Movement ''. Business Wire. May 2016. Jump up ^ `` Question Bridge ''. Jump up ^ Jesse Williams, Special to CNN ( February 19, 2013 ). `` Django, in chains ''. CNN. Jump up ^ `` Too Many American Students Are Experiencing Hunger ''. The Huffington Post. October 11, 2011. Jump up ^ Katie Roger ( June 27, 2016 ). `` How Jesse Williams Stole BET Awards With Speech on Racism ''. The New York Times. Jump up ^ Stack, Liam ( July 5, 2016 ). `` Petition Wants Jesse Williams Fired for His Speech at BET Awards. But He 's Not Worried. ''. The New York Times. Retrieved July 6, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Jesse Williams ''. RTÉ News. November 24, 2011. Jump up ^ `` ' Grey 's Anatomy ' Star Jesse Williams and Wife Divorce ''. TMZ. Time Warner. April 24, 2017. Retrieved April 24, 2017. Jump up ^ Corinthios, Aurelie ; Leonard, Elizabeth ( April 24, 2017 ). `` Grey 's Anatomy 's Jesse Williams & Wife Aryn Drake - Lee Amicably Divorcing After 5 Years of Marriage ''. People. Time Inc. Retrieved April 24, 2017. Footnotes Jump up ^ During an interview in 2016, Williams himself stated that he had seven children. However, most sources only mention two. External links Jesse Williams on IMDb Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jesse_Williams_(actor)&oldid=805647312 '' Categories : 1981 births 21st - century American male actors Male actors from Chicago American male film actors African - American television producers American television producers American people of Native American descent American people of Swedish descent Living people Seminole people Temple University alumni Audio book narrators American schoolteachers African - American male actors American male television actors American male stage actors American podcasters Hidden categories : CS1 maint : BOT : original - url status unknown Use mdy dates from November 2016 Articles with hCards Talk Contents About Wikipedia Čeština Deutsch Español فارسی Français 한국어 Italiano עברית ქართული Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Русский Suomi Svenska ไทย Türkçe 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 16 October 2017, at 19 : 04. 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Question: who plays jackson avery on grey's anatomy
Answer: Jesse Wesley Williams