Cress Williams is a film and television actor who gained fame and popularity for his roles as Mayor Lavon Hayes on the CW series. Hart of Dixie and Jefferson Pierce in the DC comic television series Black Lightning.
Here’s everything you need to know about the American actor.
the biography
Cress Williams was born on July 26, 1970, in a town in Germany called Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, to an African-American family. Shortly after his birth, they returned to the United States.
As a child, Cress always knew he wanted to be an actor. while his friends played basketball and football, at the age of seven he began to take an interest in acting and singing.
Before starting his career in 1990, he studied at Fullerton College (college) in California where he majored in theater. During this time he had roles in various school productions, including Williams Shakespeare’s tragedy Othello, directed by his mentor Tom Blank. He also appeared in Red Nose, a dark comedy produced by Peter Barnes and directed by Michael Fields. The Elephant Man was another play he appeared in while still in middle school.
After college, he was admitted to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). During his senior year at college, he landed a role on Beverly Hills, 90210, appearing in 13 episodes.
Career
Professionally, his acting career began when he played Terrence ‘Scooter’ Williams on the series Living Alone. He also starred as Talak’talan in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993).
After his acting debut, he appeared on numerous TV series including NYPD Blue, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, 3rd Rock from the Sun, JAG, Nash Bridges as Antwon Babcock, Providence, Law & Order: Special Victims Units, Veronica Mars, West Wing and Close to Home as Ed Williams. He also appeared on an episode of America’s number one prime-time show, ER, which drew 33 million viewers weekly.
In 2008, Cress Williams appeared in nine episodes of the series. Escape from prison as hit man, Wyatt Matthewson.
His foray into movies began with the movie The Cursed Generation (1995). Other series and movies he is most popular for are Never Been Kissed (1999), Fallen Detective (1998), In Your Eyes (2014), Code Black and the final season of Friday Night Lights where he played Ornette. Howard. He also gained special attention for his role as Lavon Hayes in Dixie’s Hart.
In 2018, he was cast in the lead role of Jefferson Pierce on the CW superhero television series Black Lightning. Cress William also starred as John Henry Irons in the animated movie, The Death of Superman and was cast to reprise his role in the sequel, Reign of the Superman.
He not only made an indelible mark in acting but also in directing. Cress has directed several plays, including Talk Radio, Answers and Loyalties.
Family: wife and children
On October 14, 2000, Cress Williams married beautiful actress and singer Simbi Khali in Malibu, California. Their union was blessed with two children – a boy and a girl. Their first child, Elijah Khali Thomas Williams, was born on July 20, 2004, and their second, Amika Khali Williams, was born on August 13, 2007.
Cress and Simbi, who had been married for eleven years, divorced in 2011. The actor started dating another actress, Kristen Torrianni. They met at a religious event in 2006 and have been close friends since then, leading to an eventual relationship.
Cress Williams and Kristen tied the knot May 21, 2013 in an intimate ceremony on the island of Kauai. Later, the couple hosted a formal reception for around 150 guests in Los Angeles. Her Hart of Dixie co-stars – Kaitlyn Black, Scott Porter and Wilson Bethel were in attendance for the occasion.
Cress Williams Height and Weight
The German-American actor has a mesmerizing height of 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm) and weighs around 192 lbs (87 kg). He’s also in great shape, which is kind of expected when playing an on-screen superhero hero.
Although the actor is already in pretty good shape, he had to double down on work and diet when he was cast as Jefferson Pierce Dark Lightning. Needless to say, whatever he does will work for him.