Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams

61 · Born: May 12, 1963

Personal Details

BornMay 12, 1963 Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Biography

Vanessa Estelle Williams is a multifaceted artist born and raised in Brooklyn, New York. She began her career in the 1990s with a passion for the entertainment industry and has since become a highly sought-after creative force.

Williams has appeared in numerous films, including "A Rich Christmas" for BET, "Christmas Family Reunion" with The Ninth House production company, and the upcoming "Say My Name" sequel to "Candyman." She has also starred in the six-part miniseries "A Luv Tale" for Essence Magazine's digital platform.

Off the coast of East Africa, Williams filmed the indie comedy feature "Singleholic" opposite Erica Ash, Rotimi, Stephen Bishop, and Tyson Beckford. Her other film credits include "Thriller," "Raising Izzie," "Imagine That," "Like Mike," "Punks," "Mother," and "Candyman."

Williams made her film debut in the urban classic "New Jack City" and has since appeared in a range of films and television shows. Her television credits include "Days of Our Lives," "Famous in Love," "The Flash," "Ward of the State," "The Bay series," "Sugar Mommas," "Lincoln Heights," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Knight Riders," "Flirting with Forty," "Ice Spiders," "Cold Case," "Soul Food" TV series, "Our America," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Chicago Hope," "Murder One," "Living Single," "NYPD Blue," "Melrose Place," "The Cosby Show," and "Law & Order."

In addition to her screen work, Williams has also had a successful stage career. She made her Broadway debut in the production of "Sarafina" and has since appeared in numerous productions, including "Intimate Apparel," "Mule Bone," "Death and the Kings Horseman," and "HAIR." Her solo show "Feet On the Ceiling!" premiered at the National Black Theatre Festival in 2011 and has since been performed at various venues throughout the US and the Caribbean.

Williams is also a published author, with an excerpt from her book "Shine" appearing in the June 2004 issue of Essence Magazine. She is a dedicated philanthropist, serving as Vice Chair on the Executive Board of Directors of The Black Aids Institute and Chair of BAI's Hollywood Task Force on Aids. She has also directed a series of celebrity PSAs on HIV Awareness/Aids Prevention.

With her authentic, energetic, and relatable global brand appeal, Williams is an artist and mother of two who has built a reputation as a talent audiences love, trust, and admire.

Career

{"id":235081,"title":"Cruel Encounters","year":"2023","character":"Corynne","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/cruel-encounters","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_235081.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_235081.jpg"},"released":1}
2023
{"id":235125,"title":"Black Girl Erupted","year":"2023","character":"Cassandra Cole","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/black-girl-erupted","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_235125.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_235125.jpg"},"released":1}
Black Girl Erupted
Black Girl Erupted as Cassandra Cole
{"id":205202,"title":"Mid-Century","year":"2022","character":"Beverly Gordon","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mid-century","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/34p00pt1f5fg.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/34p00pt1f5fg.jpg"},"released":1}
2022
Mid-Century
Mid-Century as Beverly Gordon
{"id":238169,"title":"Remember Me: The Mahalia Jackson Story","year":"2022","character":"Lucille","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/remember-me-the-mahalia-jackson-story","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/nrk5h7mcjp00.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/nrk5h7mcjp00.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":238347,"title":"Angie's Cure","year":"2022","character":"Carla","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/angies-cure","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_238347.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_238347.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":199060,"title":"Welcome to the Christmas Family Reunion","year":"2021","character":"Eve Christmas","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/welcome-to-the-christmas-family-reunion","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_199060.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_199060.jpg"},"released":1}
2021
{"id":138087,"title":"Candyman","year":"2021","character":"Anne-Marie McCoy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/candyman-2021","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/18pevg2dmvr8.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/18pevg2dmvr8.jpg"},"released":1}
Candyman
Candyman as Anne-Marie McCoy
{"id":199231,"title":"A Rich Christmas","year":"2021","character":"Aggie Maggy \/ Madison","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/a-rich-christmas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_199231.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_199231.jpg"},"released":1}
A Rich Christmas
A Rich Christmas as Aggie Maggy / Madison
{"id":103836740,"title":"American Horror Stories","year":2021,"character":"Dr. Eleanor Berger","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/american-horror-stories","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/60p86njcb6u0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/60p86njcb6u0.jpg"},"released":1}
American Horror Stories
American Horror Stories as Dr. Eleanor Berger
{"id":103841076,"title":"A Luv Tale: The Series","year":2021,"character":"Candice","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/a-luv-tale-the-series","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103841076.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103841076.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":199548,"title":"Love on A Two Way Street","year":"2020","character":"Gloria","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/love-on-a-two-way-street","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_199548.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_199548.jpg"},"released":1}
2020
{"id":143209,"title":"One Fine Christmas","year":"2019","character":"Susan","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/one-fine-christmas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_143209.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_143209.jpg"},"released":1}
2019
{"id":246557,"title":"I Left My Girlfriend for Regina Jones","year":"2019","character":"Rebecca","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/i-left-my-girlfriend-for-regina-jones","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_246557.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_246557.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":135232,"title":"Thriller","year":"2018","character":"Mrs. Walker","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/thriller","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5iv9o3448ss0.jpeg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5iv9o3448ss0.jpeg"},"released":1}
2018
Thriller
Thriller as Mrs. Walker
{"id":103836968,"title":"40 and Single","year":2018,"character":"Bertha Brown","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/40-and-single","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103836968.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103836968.jpg"},"released":1}
40 and Single
40 and Single as Bertha Brown
{"id":995,"title":"The Flash","year":2016,"character":"Francine West","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-flash-2014","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/76sp9oqnjid0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/shows\/poster\/76sp9oqnjid0.jpg"},"released":1}
2016
The Flash
The Flash as Francine West
{"id":167557,"title":"Crossed the Line","year":"2014","character":"Juice","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/crossed-the-line","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_167557.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_167557.jpg"},"released":1}
2014
{"id":13484,"title":"Men, Money & Gold Diggers","year":"2014","character":"Sandra WInslow","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/men-money-gold-diggers","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_13484.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_13484.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":14684,"title":"Raising Izzie","year":"2013","character":"Tonya","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/raising-izzie","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_14684.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_14684.jpg"},"released":1}
2013
{"id":118444,"title":"Sugar Mommas","year":"2012","character":"Lynn","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/sugar-mommas","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3pk7vlb1dph0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/3pk7vlb1dph0.jpg"},"released":1}
2012
{"id":6660,"title":"Imagine That","year":"2009","character":"Lori Strother","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/imagine-that","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/73i88o9n1bf0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/73i88o9n1bf0.jpg"},"released":1}
2009
Imagine That
Imagine That as Lori Strother
{"id":45131,"title":"Contradictions of the Heart","year":"2009","character":"Lea","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/contradictions-of-the-heart","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_45131.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_45131.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":46353,"title":"Flirting with Forty","year":"2008","character":"Kristine","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/flirting-with-forty","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_46353.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_46353.jpg"},"released":1}
2008
{"id":43485,"title":"Ice Spiders","year":"2007","character":"Dr. April Sommers","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/ice-spiders","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2lfhksk7it9g.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/2lfhksk7it9g.jpg"},"released":1}
2007
Ice Spiders
Ice Spiders as Dr. April Sommers
{"id":153258,"title":"Black Listed","year":"2003","character":"J.W.","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/black-listed","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_153258.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_153258.jpg"},"released":1}
2003
{"id":184643,"title":"Our America","year":"2002","character":"Sandra Williams","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/our-america","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_184643.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_184643.jpg"},"released":1}
2002
Our America
Our America as Sandra Williams
{"id":2911,"title":"Like Mike","year":"2002","character":"Pharmacist","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/like-mike","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5qocf5uqs8g0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5qocf5uqs8g0.jpg"},"released":1}
Like Mike
Like Mike as Pharmacist
{"id":153297,"title":"Playing with Fire","year":"2000","character":"Riana Roberts","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/playing-with-fire-2000","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_153297.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_153297.jpg"},"released":1}
2000
Playing with Fire
Playing with Fire as Riana Roberts
{"id":154965,"title":"Punks","year":"2000","character":"Jennifer","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/punks-2000","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_154965.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_154965.jpg"},"released":1}
Punks
Punks as Jennifer
{"id":103835339,"title":"Soul Food","year":2000,"character":"Maxine Chadway","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/soul-food","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_103835339.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_103835339.jpg"},"released":1}
Soul Food
Soul Food as Maxine Chadway
{"id":155482,"title":"Incognito","year":"1999","character":"Wilhelmina Hunter","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/incognito-1999","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_155482.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_155482.jpg"},"released":1}
1999
Incognito
Incognito as Wilhelmina Hunter
{"id":8260,"title":"The Steve Harvey Show","year":1998,"character":"Nina","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/the-steve-harvey-show","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_8260.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_8260.jpg"},"released":1}
1998
{"id":35422,"title":"Mother","year":"1996","character":"Donna","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/mother","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_35422.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_35422.jpg"},"released":1}
1996
Mother
Mother as Donna
{"id":9650,"title":"Murder One","year":1995,"character":"Lila Marquette","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/murder-one","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_9650.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_9650.jpg"},"released":1}
1995
Murder One
Murder One as Lila Marquette
{"id":8618,"title":"Drop Squad","year":"1994","character":"Mali","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/drop-squad","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_8618.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_8618.jpg"},"released":1}
1994
{"id":4928,"title":"Candyman","year":"1992","character":"Anne-Marie McCoy","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/candyman","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5mkhnkebi9e0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/5mkhnkebi9e0.jpg"},"released":1}
1992
Candyman
Candyman as Anne-Marie McCoy
{"id":765,"title":"Melrose Place","year":1992,"character":"Rhonda","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/show\/melrose-place-1992","type":"show","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/show_765.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/show_765.jpg"},"released":1}
{"id":910,"title":"New Jack City","year":"1991","character":"Keisha","permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/new-jack-city","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7cm1jo4abel0.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/images\/fanart\/movies\/poster\/7cm1jo4abel0.jpg"},"released":1}
1991
{"id":215093,"title":"Happy to Be Nappy and Other Stories of Me","year":"2004","character":null,"permalink":"https:\/\/streambutter.com\/us\/movie\/happy-to-be-nappy-and-other-stories-of-me","type":"movie","srcset":{"1x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/90x135\/thumbs\/movie_215093.jpg","2x":"https:\/\/img.streambutter.com\/img\/180x270\/thumbs\/movie_215093.jpg"},"released":1}
2004