Background
Williams was born in Westchester County, New York and was raised in Yonkers, New New York His mother, Angela Williams, is a singer/songwriter, and his father, Le’Roy Williams, is a police sergeant.
Williams was born in Westchester County, New York and was raised in Yonkers, New New York His mother, Angela Williams, is a singer/songwriter, and his father, Le’Roy Williams, is a police sergeant.
He is most recognizable for having played the title character of the Chris Rock-inspired sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, and songwriter Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel movie Let lieutenant Shine. He has also had a supporting role as Noah on Administrative Management College"s The Walking Dead. Williams has two younger brothers.
Tyrel Jackson Williams (b 1997) and Tylen Jacob Williams (b 2001).
Williams had also appeared on Laboratory Rats, portraying his brother"s character"s future self. Williams began his acting career at age four.
He later starred in Little Bill as the voice of Bobby, briefly replacing Devon Malik Beckford in 2000, and played himself (or an eponymous character, "Tyler") on the children"s show Sesame Street from 2000 to 2005. He rose to fame in 2005 by playing the title character in the hit series Everybody Hates Chris, which finished in 2009.
He has also been a guest star in Two for the Money, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and the show Hi-Jinks.
In late 2009, Williams appeared in the second season of True Jackson, VP as True"s love interest Justin "Lil" Shakespeare" Weber in the two-part episode "Flirting with Fame". In 2012, Williams got the role of Owen in the series Go On. He also played the lead role of Cyrus DeBarge in the Disney Channel Original Movie Let lieutenant Shine alongside Coco Jones, Trevor Jackson, and Brandon Mychal Smith.
Williams was also featured on nine songs on the film"s soundtrack, showing off his rapping skills.
The movie premiered on June 15, 2012, and his songs "Don"t Run Away", "Maine and You", "Guardian Angel", "Let lieutenant Shine", and "Moment of Truth" all received airplay on Radio Disney. The videos were also played frequently on the Disney Channel.
In 2014 Williams starred in Justin Simien"s 2014 independent film Dear White People as Lionel Higgins. In 2014, Williams was cast as the recurring character Noah on the television series The Walking Dead.
Starting in 2016, Williams will be playing Russian "Monty" Montgomery in the Criminal Minds spin-off Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
Black Reel National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Image Award
Teen Choice Young Artist.