Tyler James Williams (born October 9, 1992) is an American actor and rapper. 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 It Shine. He currently has a supporting role as Noah on AMC's The Walking Dead. His brothers, Tyrel Jackson Williams and Tylen Jacob Williams are also actors.
Early life
Williams was born in Westchester County, New York, and was raised in Yonkers, New York. His mother, Angela Williams, is a singer/songwriter, and his father, Le’Roy Williams, is a police sergeant. Williams has two younger brothers; Tyrel Jackson Williams (b. 1997) and Tylen Jacob Williams (b. 2001). His younger brother, Tyrel is also an actor, and stars on the Disney XD series, Lab Rats; Williams appeared on the show as his brother's character's future self. His other brother Tylen is now a co-star on the new Nick show Instant Mom.
Career
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 2002 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 won a Young Artist Award in 2007 for his work on the show. 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 It 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", "Me and You", "Guardian Angel", "Let It Shine", and "Moment of Truth" all received airplay on Radio Disney. The videos were also played frequently on the Disney Channel. Williams also guest starred in the Disney XD series, Lab Rats.
In 2014 Williams starred in Justin Simien's 2014 independent film Dear White People.
Filmography
Awards
In 2007, Williams won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series. Receiving the prize at age 14, he is the youngest person ever to receive this award. In 2010, Williams was once again nominated for the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series.
Discography
- Let It Shine Soundtrack (2012)
References
External links
- Tyler James Williams at the Internet Movie Database
