Cress Williams
Biography
Cress Williams is an American actor born on July 26, 1970, in Heidelberg, Germany, to American parents. He studied acting at Fullerton College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the University of California, Los Angeles. Williams began his acting career performing in college plays, notably appearing in Shakespearean productions such as Othello in 1990 before transitioning to television and film roles. On television, he is known for his recurring role as Terrence Scooter Williams on the Fox sitcom Living Single, which he appeared in from 1993 to 1998. His other television credits include roles as Inspector Antwon Babcock on Nash Bridges, Detective Ed Williams on Close to Home, Mayor Lavon Hayes, and appearances in Beverly Hills 90210 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
Career overview
Cress Williams is an American actor born on July 26, 1970, in Heidelberg, West Germany, to American parents. He studied acting at Fullerton College and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre from the University of California, Los Angeles. Williams began his acting career performing in college plays, notably appearing in productions such as Shakespeare's Othello in 1990 before transitioning into television and film roles.
Williams is best known for his diverse television work, including a recurring role as Terrence Scooter Williams on the Fox sitcom Living Single, which he appeared in from 1993 to 1998. His television credits also feature the role of Inspector Antwon Babcock on Nash Bridges, Detective Ed Williams on the drama Close to Home, and Mayor Lavon Hayes on The CW. Additionally, he held a supporting role in the series Beverly Hills 90210 between 1993 and 1994, and guest-starred as the character Talak'talan in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode Jem'Hadar in 1994.
Ask the Vault
Ask anything about Cress Williams.
Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Eyes of Wakanda (2025) as The Lion (voice)
- Dead Wrong (2024) as Paul Drake
- What Remains (2022) as Marshall
- Crime Story (2021) as Jimmy
- The Violent Heart (2020) as Lee
- The Death of Superman (2019) as John Henry Irons (voice)
- Reign of the Supermen (2019) as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
- The Death and Return of Superman (2019) as John Henry Irons / Steel (voice)
- Black Lightning (2018) as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- Steve (2017) as Self
- Lowriders (2017) as Williams
- DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016) as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- Code Black (2015) as Cole Guthrie
- The Flash (2014) as Jefferson Pierce / Black Lightning
- In Your Eyes (2014) as Jake
- Hart of Dixie (2011) as Lavon Hayes
- Grey's Anatomy (2005) as Tucker Jones
- Criminal Minds (2005) as Davonte Faust
- Close to Home (2005) as Ed Williams
- House (2004) as Hospital Attorney
- Veronica Mars (2004) as Nathan Woods
- Little Black Book (2004) as Phil
- Cold Case (2003) as Jimmy Clarke
- The Lyon's Den (2003) as Eddie
- Watching Ellie (2002) as Dexter
- The Dogwalker (2002) as K.C.
- Pursuit of Happiness (2001) as Ace
- Masquerade (2000) as Marcus
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999) as Sam Dufoy
- The West Wing (1999) as Lester
- Never Been Kissed (1999) as George
- Sports Night (1998) as Steve Sarris
- Fallen (1998) as Detective Joe
- Creature (1998) as Tall Man
- L.A. Johns (1997) as Bill Allen
- Leaving L.A. (1997) as Dudley Adams
- Home Invasion (1997) as Freemont
- Nash Bridges (1996) as Antwon Babcock
- 2 Days in the Valley (1996) as Golfer
- Rolling Thunder (1996) as 'Grey' Toussaint
- JAG (1995) as Captain Overton
- The Doom Generation (1995) as Peanut
- If Not for You (1995) as Ahmed
- ER (1994) as Officer Reggie Moore
- ER (1994) as Reggie Moore
- Touched by an Angel (1994) as Riley
- Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993) as Talak'talan
- NYPD Blue (1993) as Silky
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993) as Baron Sunday
- Living Single (1993) as Terrence
- Beverly Hills, 90210 (1990) as D'Shawn Hardell
- Reimagined as Ray