Jesse Williams’s Net Worth, Biography, Stats, etc. Net Worth: EST $20 Million
Jesse Wesley Williams is an American actor, producer, director, and activist born on August 5, 1981. In the ABC medical program Grey's Anatomy, he portrayed Dr. Jackson Avery (2009–2022, 2024).
Jesse Williams illustrated biography
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Introduction
Jesse Williams, who gained notoriety for his innovative work on the popular television series “Grey's Anatomy,” is worth $20 million.
Before pursuing his acting career, the TV personality spent six years teaching English, American studies, and African studies in the Philadelphia public school system.
In addition, he has made several appearances in music videos, such as those for Jay-Z's “Legacy” and Demi Lovato's “Tell Me You Love Me.” “The Cabin in the Woods,” “Your Place or Mine,” “Only Murders in the Building,” “Secret Headquarters,” “Station 19,” and other films featured some of his most incredible acting performances.
Early Life
In 1981, Jesse Williams was born in Chicago, Illinois, to potter Johanna and her husband Reginald. His mother's side of the family is Swedish, while his father's side is African-American, making him a mixed-race person.
Williams's two younger brothers are both professional visual artists. He attended Providence, Rhode Island's Moses Brown School as a child and graduated in 1998.
Williams' father began teaching history in northern Maine after graduating high school. Williams then enrolled in Philadelphia's Temple University, majoring in film and video arts and African-American studies.
He did some modeling during Levi's, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kenneth Cole during this period. Like his father, Williams went on to become a teacher and spent six years working as a high school teacher in the public school system in Philadelphia.
Rise to Career and Success
Williams was one of 14 actresses chosen in 2005 while pursuing her acting studies to participate in the ABC Television-presented New York Actresses Showcase.
He debuted on television in a 2006 episode of “Law & Order,” when he played Kwame. Williams had a recurring part in the surfing drama series “Beyond the Break” that year.
After two guest appearances on the ABC Family series “Greek,” Williams made his major television debut in 2009 as surgical resident Jackson Avery on the medical drama series “Grey's Anatomy.”
The following year, he was cast as a series regular, beginning with the program's sixth season. After appearing in 270 episodes of the well-liked ABC show, Williams was nominated for a People's Choice Award in the Favourite Dramatic TV Actor category. In 2021, he departed from “Grey's Anatomy” finally.
Williams returned to the character of Dr. Jackson Avery in the third season of ABC's “Station 19” in 2020. He also starred in the Hulu miniseries “Little Fires Everywhere,” starring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon, as Joe Ryan in a recurring role that same year.
Other television appearances by Williams include the comedic sketch series “The Eric Andre Show,” in which he stars as himself, and the crime thriller “Power” on Starz.
In addition to his acting career, Williams served as executive producer of the television documentary “Stay Woke: The Black Lives Matter Movement” and directed the eighth episode of the ABC legal series “Rebel.”
In 2008, Williams starred in his first feature film, “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2.” The following year, he appeared in the ensemble cast of “Brooklyn's Finest,” a crime film starring Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, and Wesley Snipes.
Actor Williams debuted his feature film in 2012 as Holden McCrea in the horror comedy “The Cabin in the Woods.”
In the 2013 historical drama “The Butler,” he played civil rights leader James Lawson among an all-star ensemble that included Oprah Winfrey, Terrence Howard, Jane Fonda, Vanessa Redgrave, John Cusack, Cuba Gooding Jr., and many more.
Williams went on to play lead parts in the criminal thriller “Money” and the sports drama “Snake & Mongoose.”
In 2017, he played a supporting role in the comedy “Band-Aid.” 2019 was Williams' most successful year in the movie business.
He acted in the horror flicks “Random Acts of Violence” and “Jacob's Ladder,” and he played Headmaster Banton in the drama of a boarding school, “Selah and the Spades.”
Williams acted in movies and produced “Two Distant Strangers,” a 2020 short film on racial injustice and police violence in modern-day America. The movie went on to take home the Best Live Action Short Film Oscar.
Williams performed on stage in Cherry Lane Theatre in New York City's revivals of “The Sandbox” and “The American Dream,” two plays by Edward Albee. He has served as a guest director for the Urban Arts Partnership 24 Hour Plays Off-Broadway for student productions.
Throughout his career, Williams has made several appearances in music videos. He appeared in the music video for the rock group +44's song “When Your Heart Stops Beating” in 2006.
He then portrayed Rihanna's romantic interest in the music video for her song “Russian Roulette.” Williams may also be seen in the music videos for “Legacy” by Jay-Z, “Tell Me You Love Me” by Demi Lovato, and “Fall in Love” by Estelle.
Williams also performed performance capture and voice acting for the video game “Detroit: Become Human,” in which he was Markus. He performed further motion capture and voice acting work for the 2020 video game “NBA 2K21.”
Personal Life
In 2012, Jesse Williams wed Aryn Drake-Lee, his longtime lover. Together, they are parents to a son called Maceo and a daughter named Sadie.
The couple filed for divorce in April 2017. It was discovered throughout their divorce that Jesse makes $521,000 a month ($6.25 million annually).
Consequently, a judge once mandated that Jesse provide his ex $33,000 monthly support. Eventually, that was increased to $50,000 and then to $100,000 EACH MONTH. That sum can be reduced as they move closer to a final settlement.
Williams is a member of the Advancement Project's board of directors, an advocacy and think tank for civil rights issues.
In addition, he is the executive producer of Question Bridge: Black Males, a curriculum for teachers and students that explores black male identity through media, exhibitions, and projects. Williams' efforts earned him the BET Humanitarian Award in 2016.
Net Worth
The most well-known role for actor, director, and activist Jesse Williams is that of Dr. Jackson Avery from the ABC medical drama series “Grey's Anatomy.”
Jesse Williams is worth $20 million in total. In addition, he has starred in big-screen motion pictures, including “The Butler,” “Band-Aid,” and “The Cabin in the Woods.” Williams is an activist who participates in civil rights and racial injustice advocacy groups.
Conclusion
Throughout Jesse Williams' career, acting, activism, and business have all been combined in different ways. Williams, who became well-known for playing Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey's Anatomy, mesmerized viewers with nuanced performances and gained a devoted following.
He has produced and directed several TV series and movies along with his playing career. However, Williams' impact extends well beyond entertainment.
He vocal advocates for social justice, particularly civil rights, racial equality, and police enforcement reform.
His impassioned words, most notably his victory speech at the 2016 BET Awards, solidified his status as a thought leader in advocacy. Williams continues to make a name for himself as a powerful force in the arts and activism.