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Born and raised in Southern California, RJ Williams is a highly active angel investor in the digital ecosystem, with numerous investments in prominent companies over the years.
He is the Founder and CEO of Young Hollywood, which he started in 2007. Young Hollywood has grown into one of the most innovative digital media brands and the leading celebrity and lifestyle network for millennials. The brand has rapidly shaped contemporary pop culture by creating and setting emerging trends both within the entertainment industry and globally.
Williams began his entertainment career as a child actor, starting as a series regular on The Young and the Restless (1973). He appeared in several movies of the week, numerous TV pilots, and guest-starred in over 30 television series, including a recurring role on the hit show Full House (1987) and playing Rowdy on the daytime hit General Hospital (1963).
His hosting career took off with the syndicated children's series Wake, Rattle & Roll (1990). After completing 130 episodes of the show, Williams paused his on-camera work to develop his behind-the-scenes expertise by attending the USC School of Cinema-Television. After graduating, he founded Arjay Entertainment Group, a television production company with clients like ABC, FOX, CBS, TV Guide, and Showtime. Arjay Entertainment earned a reputation for delivering compelling celebrity programming and played a key role in shaping the identity of Young Hollywood.
In 2015, Williams launched the OTT network Young Hollywood, producing over a dozen series including Backstage Diaries, Food Feed, Pop Culture Underground, and Beyond The Athlete.
Williams also possesses extensive expertise in social media and influencer marketing, collaborating with some of the world’s most recognizable talent. He works closely with leading marketing and advertising brands, advising on innovative ways to engage consumers through unique brand integrations and social media campaigns. His client roster includes Adidas, Subway, AT&T, H&M, Unilever, Electronic Arts, Samsung, and Coca-Cola.
An alumnus of Crossroads School for Arts and Sciences and the USC Film School, Williams is recognized as one of the nation's foremost experts on youth marketing, trend spotting, and influencing Hollywood culture.
He has been featured in major media outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, USA Today, AdWeek, AdAge, Fast Company, and BBC World News. He was also named to The Hollywood Reporter's Digital Power 50 List, which noted, "Everything Young Hollywood CEO and founder R.J. Williams does is counter-intuitive—and effective.
