Biography
Billy Sly Williams began his acting career in his hometown of New York, landing his first significant role as a guest star on "The Cosby Show." He initially trained with William Hickey and Earl Hyman at Uta Hagen's HB Studios before joining the New Federal Theater, established by Woody King, Jr. Williams further honed his craft under Ron Stetson, immersing himself in the demanding Sanford Meisner technique, which he completed in Los Angeles with Janet Alhanti.
Launching his career with strong momentum, Williams appeared as a guest star on numerous popular shows including "Family Matters," "Charles In Charge," "Doogie Howser, M.D.," "Beverly Hills, 90210," "JAG," "Martin," "NYPD Blue," "The Practice," "Living Single," "Moesha," "Walker, Texas Ranger," "The Steve Harvey Show," "Judging Amy," "Wanda at Large," "Dollhouse," "The Cleaner," and "Love That Girl," among others. He also boasts an extensive and ever-growing list of commercial credits, enjoying the creative challenge of crafting a complete story in just 15 to 30 seconds. Tune into your TV, and you're likely to catch Williams on screen.
Williams transitioned into feature films with a role in "Predator 2," followed by several other studio productions. He then took on an independent film in India, marking his first international project and a significant experience. During filming, he met writer, producer, and director Stephen David Brooks. Their collaboration began with this project and blossomed into a lasting partnership. Brooks introduced Williams to the independent film scene, reshaping his perspective on indie filmmaking. Williams admired Brooks’ distinctive filmmaking style and soon secured the lead role in Brooks's multi-award-winning film "Heads N' Tailz." Williams played a crucial role in launching Brooks's feature directorial debut and the two have since collaborated on multiple projects. Their latest venture, a short film titled "Binky," was slated for release in 2013 and expected to be submitted to various film festivals.
Williams’s influence in independent film continued to grow. While touring with Martin Lawrence, his agents encouraged him to return to Los Angeles to audition for emerging independent filmmaker Paul D. Hannah. Despite initial reservations about stepping away from his commitments, Williams took a brief break and connected with a team he would work with extensively. Hannah became another key influence, inspiring Williams, who has since been involved in five projects with him over two years, including "The Marriage Chronicles," "The Last Letter," "The Cheater's Club," "My Sister's Wedding," and "4 Play."
To date, Williams has appeared in over 30 feature films. Though he has pursued a career in film, he remains active on television, with his most recent role on the hit series "Californication." Currently, Williams can be seen in numerous commercials, TV series, feature films, and is also involved in producing behind the scenes. Grateful for his blessings, Billy Sly Williams dedicates his free time to mentoring both aspiring and established actors.
