# Gregory Alan Williams

Gregory Alan Williams (born June 12, 1956) sometimes credited as Gregalan Williams, is an American actor and author. He is best known for portraying LAPD Officer Garner Ellerbee in Baywatch. From 2011 until 2013, Williams portrayed the role of Coach Pat Purnell in the USA Network series Necessary Roughness. Williams also appeared on the 2015 ABC series Secrets and Lies and then on Greenleaf, and later on 2017's Manhunt: Unabomber, and beginning in 2019 The Righteous Gemstones.

## Life and acting career

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Williams graduated from East High School, and attended Coe College and served in the United States Marine Corps before pursuing a career in acting. He made his acting debut opposite Steven Seagal in the 1988 film Above the Law. The following year, Williams won the role of Garner Ellerbee in Baywatch. He reprised the role in the 1995 spin-off series Baywatch Nights before returning to Baywatch in 1996.
After leaving the series in 1998, Williams has had recurring guest roles on The Sopranos, The West Wing, The District, The Game, Army Wives, Drop Dead Diva, and Chicago Med. Additionally, he has guest starred in episodes of NYPD Blue, Boston Legal, One Tree Hill, and Meet the Browns and has also lent his voice to the animated series Aqua Teen Hunger Force. From 2009 to 2013, Williams appeared as Judge Warren Libby in the comedy series Drop Dead Diva. Since 2011, Williams has portrayed the role of Coach Pat Purnell in the USA Network drama series Necessary Roughness.
Williams has also had roles in several films, including Remember the Titans (2000), Old School (2003), Be Cool (2005), Dog Days of Summer (2007), Oliver Stone's biopic W. (2008), The Collector (2009), and MacGruber (2010). Williams also serves as the host of the syndicated series Know Your Heritage and Know Your Heritage: Black College Quiz.
In 1992, Williams became the first recipient of the Salem Award for Human Rights and Social Justice (through Voices Against Injustice) due to his heroic efforts during the 1992 Los Angeles race riots in which he rescued an individual who had been pulled out of his car and was being beaten.

## Writing

In addition to acting, Williams has authored four books including A Gathering of Heroes: Reflections on Rage and Responsibility: A Memoir of the Los Angeles Riots. The book chronicles Williams' life and experiences with racism, along with an incident during the 1992 Los Angeles riots in which he saved the life of a Japanese American man who was being beaten by rioters.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1988 | Above the Law | FBI Agent Halloran | |
| 1989 | Major League | Bull Pen Guard | |
| 1989 | The Package | Colonel Woods | |
| 1989 | Howard Beach: Making a Case for Murder | Charlie Brasher | TV movie |
| 1993 | In the Line of Fire | Secret Service Agent Matt Wilder | |
| 1996 | Project ALF | Police Officer | TV movie |
| 1996 | No One Would Tell | Detective Anderson | TV movie |
| 1997 | Dying to Belong | Carl Ridgeley | TV movie |
| 1997 | Stag | Taylor Rundgren | |
| 1997 | Acts of Betrayal | Francis Morelli | |
| 2000 | Freedom Song | Pullman Porter | TV movie |
| 2000 | Remember the Titans | Coach Paul "Doc" Hines | |
| 2003 | The Beat | Mr. Bernard | |
| 2003 | Old School | Therapist | |
| 2005 | A Message from Pops | Pops | Short |
| 2005 | Be Cool | Darryl | |
| 2005 | Locusts | General Miller | TV movie |
| 2006 | The Last Adam | Pastor Bailey | |
| 2006 | Dirty Laundry | Percy | |
| 2006 | Haunting Villisca | Dolan | |
| 2008 | Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood! | Dr. Reginald Monte | |
| 2009 | 4 Minutes | Carl | |
| 2009 | The Collector | Sheriff | |
| 2010 | Preacher's Kid | Bishop King | |
| 2010 | Blood Done Sign My Name | Dr. Samuel Proctor | |
| 2010 | Good Intentions | Buck | |
| 2010 | MacGruber | Minister | |
| 2010 | Stomp the Yard: Homecoming | Dr. David Young | |
| 2010 | The Confidant | Gambler | |
| 2010 | Unrequited | Mr. Williams | |
| 2010 | Superman/Batman: Apocalypse | Terrified Longshoreman (voice) | Video |
| 2010 | Christmas Cupid | Larry | TV movie |
| 2011 | Slice | Captain Kirk | |
| 2011 | Slice 2 | Captain Kirk | |
| 2012 | Hornet's Nest | Detective Ron Brewster | TV movie |
| 2012 | Somebody's Child | Petey | TV movie |
| 2013 | Between Sisters | Franklin | TV movie |
| 2013 | Jimmy | Coach Sellers | |
| 2013 | Heart of the Country | Yates | |
| 2013 | Let the Church Say Amen | - | TV movie |
| 2013 | Teachers | Robert | TV movie |
| 2013 | Marry Me for Christmas | Donald | TV movie |
| 2014 | The Painter | - | Short |
| 2014 | Unspoken Words | Mr. Willy | |
| 2014 | Million Dollar Arm | Doug | |
| 2014 | Like a Country Song | Reggie | |
| 2014 | Hear No Evil | Harold | |
| 2014 | The Town Inside | Clyde | |
| 2014 | Cat Run 2 | Ray Boudreaux | |
| 2014 | Roses | Kevin Rodgers | Short |
| 2014 | My Other Mother | Abner | TV movie |
| 2014 | Marry Us for Christmas | Donald | TV movie |
| 2014 | Identity | Dr. Art Sloan | TV movie |
| 2014 | Hero | Kent Redding | |
| 2015 | To Hell and Back | Lance | TV movie |
| 2015 | The Sin Seer | Clarence Ricard | |
| 2015 | 13 Minutes | The Patriot (voice) | Short |
| 2015 | Terminator Genisys | Detective Harding | |
| 2015 | Adrenaline | Elijah Benjamin Salisbury | |
| 2015 | 90 Minutes in Heaven | Therapy Doctor - St. Lukes | |
| 2015 | Christmas in the Smokies | Bud Walker | |
| 2015 | A Baby for Christmas | Donald | TV movie |
| 2016 | Courting Des Moines | General Stan Hutchinson | |
| 2016 | Misconduct | Richard Hill | |
| 2016 | Miracles from Heaven | Dr. Joe Hester | |
| 2016 | The Accountant | Treasury Secretary | |
| 2016 | Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk | Raise N' Praise Preacher | |
| 2016 | Almost Christmas | Pastor Browning | |
| 2016 | Merry Christmas, Baby | Donald | TV movie |
| 2016 | Hidden Figures | Marion Smithson | |
| 2016 | Bad Girl | Deacon Bacon | |
| 2016 | Beat Street | Capt. Tim Weathers | Video |
| 2017 | Mountain Top | Lamar Cochran | |
| 2017 | Created Equal | Judge Watford | |
| 2017 | All Saints | Bishop Thompson | |
| 2017 | A Question of Faith | Farnsworth Newman | |
| 2017 | Geostorm | General Montgaff | |
| 2017 | Slaw | Commissioner Kelly | |
| 2018 | God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness | Reverend Roland Dial | |
| 2018 | Legal Action | Ben Wingwright | |
| 2018 | Falling in Love Again | Mr. Owens | |
| 2018 | Chandler Christmas Getaway | Donald | TV movie |
| 2019 | I See You | Spitzky | |
| 2019 | The World We Make | Thomas Bishop | |
| 2019 | Freshman Year | Professor Thompson | |
| 2019 | Brightburn | Sheriff Deever | |
| 2020 | The Warrant | Tucker Macready | |
| 2020 | The Banker | Britton Garrett | |
| 2020 | My Brother's Keeper | Pops | |
| 2021 | Birdie | Dr. James Cooper | |
| 2021 | Karen | Charles Wright | |
| 2021 | Envy: A Seven Deadly Sins Story | Elijah Wilson | TV movie |
| 2021 | A Father's Legacy | Robby | |
| 2022 | Sons 2 the Grave | Coach Sam Reardon | |
| 2022 | County Line: All In | Clifford Mullins | |
| 2022 | My Perfect Wedding | James Sinclair | |
| 2022 | County Line: No Fear | Clifford Mullins | |
| 2023 | Reunion | Willy James | |
| 2023 | Puncher's Chance | Charlie Phillips | Short |
| 2023 | Christmas Holidate | Nick Harper | |
| 2024 | The Disruptors | Steve Russell | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1986 | Jack and Mike | FBI #1 | Episode: "Ready or Not" |
| 1989-98 | Baywatch | Officer Garner Ellerbee | Main Cast: Season 1 & 3-5, Recurring Cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 8 |
| 1990 | Father Dowling Mysteries | Det. Lt. Adams | Episode: "The Murder Weekend Mystery" |
| 1990-91 | Hunter | Officer Peter Hawkins | Recurring Cast: Season 7 |
| 1991 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air | Security Guard | Episode: "Young and the Restless" |
| 1991 | Roc | Albert | Episode: "Requiem for a Garbage Man" |
| 1991-92 | Civil Wars | Ed Marsh | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
| 1992-94 | Dream On | Anchorman | Guest Cast: Season 3-5 |
| 1994 | L.A. Law | Ellis Cole | Episode: "Silence Is Golden" |
| 1995 | University Hospital | Lt. Foster | Episode: "The Right Thing" |
| 1995 | Living Single | Darren | Episode: "The Ex-File" |
| 1995 | The Parent 'Hood | Coach Vanderpool | Episode: "Track Dreams" |
| 1995-97 | Baywatch Nights | Officer Garner Ellerbee | Main Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2 |
| 1996 | Murder, She Wrote | Lt. Paul Bragg | Episode: "Mrs. Parker's Revenge" |
| 1996 | Spider-Man | Additional Voices (voice) | Episode: "Sins of the Fathers Chapter 7: The Man Without Fear" |
| 1997 | The Blues Brothers Animated Series | Loure Lemon / Rasti (voice) | Main Cast |
| 1998 | Mama Flora's Family | Charlie (1941) | Episode: "Episode #1.1 & #1.2" |
| 2000 | City of Angels | Dr. Nate Ambrose | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2000-01 | The Sopranos | Reverend James, Jr. | Guest: Season 2, Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
| 2000-02 | The West Wing | Robbie Mosley | Recurring Cast: Season 2-3 |
| 2001 | Boston Public | Jason Anderson | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
| 2001-03 | The District | Clive Rogers | Recurring Cast: Season 2-4 |
| 2004 | The Practice | District Attorney | Episode: "Comings and Goings" |
| 2004 | NYPD Blue | Agent Marcus | Episode: "Who's Your Daddy?" |
| 2004 | Crossing Jordan | U.S. Army Chaplain | Episode: "Deja Past" |
| 2005 | Boston Legal | John Zenawi | Episode: "Schmidt Happens" |
| 2005 | Monk | Sorenson | Episode: "Mr. Monk and Mrs. Monk" |
| 2006 | One Tree Hill | Chuck | Episode: "All Tomorrow's Parties" |
| 2006 | Everwood | James Cleveland | Episode: "Lost and Found" |
| 2006 | Squidbillies | Plumber Bubba (voice) | Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2006-11 | The Game | Dr. James Barnett | Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 3-4 |
| 2007 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Detective Folkner | Episode: "Philadelphia" |
| 2009 | Army Wives | Lt. Col. Wallace | Recurring Cast: Season 3 |
| 2009 | Meet the Browns | Charles Walker | Episode: "Meet the Matrimony" |
| 2009-14 | Drop Dead Diva | Judge Warren Libby | Recurring Cast |
| 2010 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Vendor Phil | Episode: "Burned" |
| 2010 | Past Life | Eli Parson | Recurring Cast |
| 2011 | Castle | Jim Van-Eps | Episode: "Lucky Stiff" |
| 2011 | Aqua Teen Hunger Force | Freedom Cobra (voice) | Recurring Cast: Season 8 |
| 2011 | Tyler Perry's House of Payne | Joffrey Starr | Episode: "The Rich and Payneless" |
| 2011-13 | Necessary Roughness | Coach Pat Purnell | Recurring Cast |
| 2013 | Nashville | Detective Glynn | Episode: "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive" |
| 2014 | Reckless | Geoff Tate | Episode: "Blind Sides" |
| 2014 | Finding Carter | Captain Moss | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
| 2015 | Being Mary Jane | Mark's Father | Episode: "Freedom" |
| 2015 | Secrets and Lies | Kevin Haynes | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
| 2015 | Satisfaction | Mike | Episode: "...Through Bondage" |
| 2015-16 | Powers | Waldo Pilgrim | Guest: Season 1, Recurring Cast: Season 2 |
| 2015-16 | The Inspectors | Lawrence Downing | Recurring Cast: Season 1, Guest: Season 2 |
| 2016 | Game of Silence | Aaron Epps | Recurring Cast |
| 2016 | Containment | Police Chief Myles Besser | Recurring Cast |
| 2016-18 | Greenleaf | Robert 'Mac' McCready | Recurring Cast: Season 1, Main Cast: Season 2, Guest: Season 3 |
| 2017 | Manhunt: Unabomber | Judge Garland Burrell | Episode: "USA vs. Theodore J. Kaczynski" |
| 2017-24 | Chicago Med | Bert Goodwin | Guest: Season 2-3 & 6, Recurring Cast: Season 5 & 9 |
| 2018 | MacGyver | Julian Halsey | Episode: "Benjamin Franklin + Grey Duffle" |
| 2018 | The Resident | Dr. Peterson | Recurring Cast: Season 1 |
| 2018 | Mr. Mercedes | DA Harvey Dunford | Episode: "Nobody Puts Brady in a Crestmore" |
| 2019 | Swamp Thing | Mayor Riley | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2019-23 | The Righteous Gemstones | Martin Imari | Main Cast |
| 2020 | Council of Dads | Will Calhoun | Episode: "Heart Medicine" |
| 2020 | Tyler Perry's House of Payne | Joffrey Starr | Episode: "From Heart to Heart" |
| 2021 | Saints & Sinners | Victor Thompson | Recurring Cast: Season 5 |
| 2024 | Blue Ridge | Miles Mitchell | Episode: "Appalachian Waltz" |

### Video games

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2009 | Avatar: The Game | Dr. Victor Monroe | |
| 2010 | Fallout: New Vegas | Additional voices | |