Gary Anthony Williams was a recurring face in the 2000s, especially with the growth and popularity of African-American-led cast comedies. The 1.8-meter height actor captivated audiences by portraying eccentric, funny characters. Williams’ screen acting career professionally began in 1990.
As one of the hardest-working actor-comedians of his generation, Gary Anthony Williams has had a busy career since his debut. The multi-talented actor has also raked in credits as a voice actor, writer, and filmmaker in his decades-long career. Here are 9 facts you probably didn’t know about actor-comedian Gary Anthony Williams.
Gary Anthony Williams Was Born Into A Large Family
The actor was born Gary Anthony Williams in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 14, 1966. However, he was raised in Fayetteville, Georgia. Williams has six sisters and two brothers and was born as the eighth child. Williams, his eight siblings, and his parents lived in a small house in Fayetteville, Georgia. Despite growing up poor, his large family was close-knit.
Gary Anthony Williams Is A Vegan
It always came as a surprise whenever people found out Gary Anthony Williams was vegan. While it’s easy to believe now that he’s lost over 200 lbs, Williams has been a full vegan for almost three decades. At some point, when he weighed over 330 lbs, he described himself as “the largest vegetarian in California, next to cows.”
A major influence on his decision to become vegan came from his growing years in Fayetteville, Georgia. His family owned a coop and raised chickens. With a large family to feed, watching chickens get slaughtered gradually turned him off meat because of its cruelty. Gary Anthony Williams became a vegetarian in 1987 but became a full vegan in 1996. At his heaviest, Williams weighed between 340 lbs and 380 lbs. To help with his weight, he had to stop eating white bread and pasta.
His Passion For Acting Began With A Computer Error
While many actors admit to having had a passion for the performing arts at an early or late age, Gary Anthony Williams developed his passion thanks to his high school computer error. While in high school, Williams was short of credits and was required to add art classes for extra credits. Although he intended to choose a class that would have him working backstage, a computer error signed him up for an acting class.
Recounting his first day in the acting class, his teacher, Robin Bennett, instructed the class to pretend they were “a leaf in a windstorm.” She also told them they would each perform a mime the next day. Williams immediately regretted being a part of the class. For his mime presentation the next day, he played a man who assisted his wife in childbirth. Then, he placed the baby in an oven and ate it afterward. Although he had intended to make a mockery of the entire performance, he was surprised he was graded an A. Realizing acting could let him be whatever he wanted, he quickly became interested.
He Began His Career in Theater
Gary Anthony Williams continued to participate in several of his High School plays. Since his family couldn’t afford to send him to college, he enrolled at a junior college. He later joined the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, where he performed in several productions and began contributing as a writer. Although a visiting instructor once discouraged him from improv acting while at the junior college, Williams later became a member of Laughing Matters, Atlanta’s longest-running improv troupe.
Gary Anthony Williams’ Early Screen Roles
Gary Anthony Williams had his screen acting debut on television in 1990. He was cast as Ramsey Morgan and Clay Wilson, guest characters, in the NBC/CBS police procedural crime-drama In the Heat of the Night. His 2-episode appearances were in 1990 and 1992. In 1991, he guest-starred in an I’ll Fly Away TV series episode. It wasn’t until 1994 that Williams made his film debut. He was cast as Dr. Ashton-Reeves in Radioland Murders. Although he landed more minor roles in television, he struggled on the big screen. He also appeared in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997) and Ride in early 1998. Williams starred in his first TV movie, First Time Felon, in 1997 as Wallace.
He Moved To Los Angeles In 1998
Looking to further his career, Gary Anthony Williams knew he had to leave Atlanta and move West to Los Angeles. His first television project in Los Angeles was playing the Bailiff in the Nickelodeon sketch comedy and variety show The Amanda Show, which premiered on October 16, 1999. Gary Anthony Williams landed the first major role of his career, joining the Malcolm in the Middle cast as Abraham “Abe” Kenarban. Malcolm in the Middle became his career launchpad, exposing him to more roles in movies and television.
Gary Anthony Williams’ Most Famous Character Is Uncle Ruckus In The Boondocks
Actors often have roles that positively alter their careers. For Gary Anthony Williams, his career-defining role has been voicing Uncle Ruckus in Adult Swim’s adult animated sitcom The Boondocks. Although a supporting character, Uncle Ruckus is considered one of the sitcom’s most iconic and memorable characters. The character appeared in all episodes of the show across its 4 seasons.
He Has Had An Extensive Voice Acting Career
Many of his over 250 acting credits on Gary Anthony Williams’ IMDb are voice roles. Although he last appeared as Mayor Williams in Outlaw Johnny Black in 2023, Williams has spent most of the last decade voicing iconic characters in several film and television projects. Besides The Boondocks, several other of his notable voice acting projects include American Dad!, Bob’s Burgers, SpongeBob SquarePants, Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur, Hailey’s On It!, WondLa, and The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy.
Gary Anthony Williams’ Work As A Writer And Filmmaker
Moving to screen, Gary Anthony Williams continued to contribute to screenplays, whether in film or television. He’s credited as a co-writer in the 2002 movie Undercover Brother. Although he’s yet to make his feature directorial debut, Williams has directed several short films and TV show projects. He made his directorial debut in 2008 with the short film I Own You, which he wrote. If you enjoyed reading about Gary Anthony Williams, check out these 6 things to know about the famed actor, Jon Seda.
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