Jesse Williams Bio, Net Worth, Family, Facts, Wife, Height

Jesse Williams is an American actor, director, producer, and activist. He is best known for portraying Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC series Grey's Anatomy (2009–2022) and has graced the big screen in films like The Cabin in the Woods (2012) and The Butler (2013). Beyond acting, he's lent his talents to voice acting and motion capture for the video game Detroit: Become Human (2018), while also making his mark as an executive producer, notably for the Academy Award-winning short film Two Distant Strangers (2020) and the Tony Award-winning revival Take Me Out (2022), where he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.

Jesse Williams Biography

Born on August 5, 1981, Jesse Williams is the son of Johanna Chase, a Swedish-American professional potter, and Reginald Williams, an African American from Georgia. He is from Chicago, the USA. Jesse Wesley Williams is his birth name which was given to him by his parents. He belongs to a mixed ethnicity holding American nationality. Growing up alongside his two younger brothers, Coire Williams specializes in landscape, woodwork, and interior design, while Matt Williams transitioned from footwear design to illustration. 

With his father being a teacher and his mother a skilled ceramic artist and high school art teacher, Jesse's educational path led him to graduate from Moses Brown School in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1998, followed by obtaining a double major in African American Studies and Film and Media Arts from Temple University. Carrying on his family's legacy, he taught American Studies, African Studies, and English in the Philadelphia public school system for six years.

Jesse Williams Career - Movies and TV Shows

• In 2005, Jesse Williams embarked on his acting journey, gaining recognition as one of 14 actors selected from over 800 auditions to participate in the New York Actors Showcase by ABC Television. 
• In 2012, he established his production company, farWord Inc. 
• A fan campaign emerged in May 2012 to advocate for his casting as Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, sparking discussions and protests among fans. 
• In 2013, Jesse authored an opinion piece for CNN critiquing Django Unchained and lent his voice to the audio version of The Bane Chronicles: What Really Happened In Peru. 
• His early roles included appearances on Law & Order, as well as a character named Drew Collins on the ABC Family series Greek. 
• Notably, he portrayed surgical resident Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy from October 2009, eventually becoming a series regular starting in season 7. 
• While he announced his departure in May 2021, Jesse made guest returns in the show's 18th and 19th seasons in 2022, marking a remarkable 11 seasons of a compelling storyline.
• Jesse garnered attention for his undeniable appeal, securing ranks on BuddyTV's "TV's 100 Sexiest Men" at No. 6 in 2010 and No. 11 in 2011, while also being named TV Actor of the Year at the 2011 Young Hollywood Awards. 
• His cinematic journey began with a supporting role in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 (2008), followed by appearances in Brooklyn's Finest (2010) and a leading role in The Cabin in the Woods (2012). 
• Notably, he contributed to the thriller film Money (2015) and made impactful strides as an executive producer, notably for the documentary Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement (2016) and the Academy Award-winning short film Two Distant Strangers (2021). 
• Beyond the screen, he demonstrated his artistic leadership by guest directing student productions at the Urban Arts Partnership and achieved a significant milestone in March 2022 with his Broadway debut in Take Me Out, earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
• During his college years, Williams briefly ventured into modeling, showcasing his charm for brands like Kenneth Cole Productions, Levi's, and Tommy Hilfiger Corporation, yet he never considered it a career path. 
• He graced music videos, starring as Rihanna's love interest in "Russian Roulette" and appearing in Estelle's "Fall In Love," while also making an appearance in Demi Lovato's "Tell Me You Love Me" video in 2018. 
• His talents extended to the realm of gaming, lending his voice and performance capture to characters like Markus in Detroit: Become Human (2018) and Duke in NBA 2K21 (2020).
• Jesse holds a notable role as the youngest member of the board of directors at The Advancement Project, a civil rights think tank and advocacy group. 
• He's also the executive producer of Question Bridge: Black Males, an impactful multimedia endeavor encompassing an art exhibition, curriculum, and website that delves into the complexity of the black male identity. 
• Williams has shared his perspectives through articles for CNN and The Huffington Post and appeared as a guest on Wolf Blitzer's The Situation Room. 
• In 2016, he was honored with a humanitarian award at the BET Awards for his compelling speech shedding light on racial injustice, police brutality, and the concept of whiteness, sparking petitions both for and against his continued role on Grey's Anatomy.

Jesse Williams' Net Worth 2023

Jesse Williams, a gifted actor, holds an estimated net worth of $15 million in 2023, commanding an impressive annual salary exceeding $1.5 million. With the entertainment industry serving as his primary source of wealth, he currently enjoys a luxurious lifestyle befitting his success. His journey included notable brand endorsements before his acting breakthrough, starring as a model for esteemed names such as Maybelline, L’oréal, Kenneth Cole Productions, L.L. Bean, and Tommy Hilfiger. In 2011, he briefly showcased Levi’s Jeans and secured a modeling role for Lane Bryant in 2012. His versatility extended to TV commercials, promoting brands like Target, Pepper, and Verizon Wireless. His charisma also graced the H&M Christmas commercial alongside Nicki Minaj in 2017, and he made an impact in MedMen's pioneering Cannabis commercial directed by Spike Jonze in 2019. As a testament to his range, Jesse served as the chief brand ambassador and partner for the Scholly College scholarship search application. 

Jesse Williams Married life & Dating - Wife, Girlfriend & Kids

Jesse Williams, once married, has since found love anew and is presently in a relationship with his lovely girlfriend, Ciarra Pardo. Their enduring connection was acknowledged in court documents during his custody dispute with Aryn Drake-Lee in February 2022, where Ciarra was referred to as his "longtime girlfriend." Together, they are savoring the joys of their current life together.

In the realm of romance, Jesse Williams has had a series of relationships: beginning with Aryn Drake-Lee (2004–2017), a real estate broker, with whom he married in 2012 and had two children, Sadie and Maceo, before their 2017 divorce; followed by actress Minka Kelly (2017–2018), whom he met during a Playstation 4 game project; subsequently with Taylor Rooks (2018–2019); then dancer and actress Taylour Paige (2018–2021), whose relationship was unveiled in 2019, culminating in a December 2021 separation; and lastly, Jerrika Hinton.

Jesse Williams Measurements - Eyes Color, Height & Weight

Jesse Williams, a handsome actor, boasts an athletic build and stands tall at the height of 6 ft 1 in (185.5 cm). He has a body weight of 77 kg (170 lbs). With captivating black hair, enchanting green eyes, and distinctive ethnically diverse features, he possesses a unique allure complemented by an olive skin tone. He has got a healthy body with an attractive personality.