Jesse Williams

J. Wesley "Jesse" Williams (born August 5, 1981) is an American actor and model, best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC Television series Grey's Anatomy. He also appeared as Lena's boyfriend Leo in the film sequel The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2. In 2012, he starred in the horror film The Cabin in the Woods. --- Williams was born J. Wesley Williams on August 5, 1981 in Chicago, Illinois. In an appearance on the Wendy Williams Show, which aired March 9, 2010, Williams stated that his mother, Johanna Chase, is Swedish American, while his father is of African American and Seminole ancestry from Georgia. Both Williams and his brother were raised in Dartmouth, Massachusetts. Williams graduated from Moses Brown School in 1999. Prior to graduating from high school, his mother was a potter, while his father worked in a local factory. After Williams graduated from high school, his parents each began teaching in the public school system, while his mother maintained her work in pottery. Williams graduated from Temple University with a double major in African American Studies and Film and Media Arts. Following in the footsteps of his parents, he taught high school in the Philadelphia public school system for six years, where he used his degree earned at Temple, to teach American Studies, African Studies, and English. In 2005, Williams studied acting with Wayne Gasser of the Gasser Group. That year, he was chosen to participate in the New York Actors Showcase, presented by ABC Television. Williams was one of 14 actors chosen from among over 600 individuals who auditioned to appear in the showcase. Since 2006, he has appeared in a number of television series, films, and theatre productions. In 2012, he established a production company, known as farWord Inc. In 2008, Williams made his film debut in the supporting role of Leo in the sequel to the 2004 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. In 2010, he appeared in the film Brooklyn's Finest which stars Don Cheadle, Richard Gere, Ethan Hawke, Wesley Snipes, and Ellen Barkin. The film was released on March 5, 2010. In 2008, Williams signed on for his first leading role, as Holden McCrea, in the MGM/United Artists horror film film The Cabin in the Woods. The film was produced by Joss Whedon and directed by Drew Goddard, and was released April 13, 2012. --- On September 1, 2012, Williams married real estate broker, Aryn Drake-Lee. Williams and his wife, whom he met when he was teaching high school, had been in a relationship for five years before they were married in Los Angeles.