- And one of our goals was to portray a black family
in a great light, in a regular, not stereotypical
but like what people really live like.
And the fact that they recognized that.
And they realized that and they supported us,
'cause it was a very big deal, very big deal.
- Although everybody hates Chris,
we all love the actor who played him.
He's gone on to play a preacher son
with a hidden gift for rapping,
a man trying to survive the zombie apocalypse
and recently graced our screens as a teacher
at a Philadelphia elementary school.
Everyone, it's Tyler James Williams.
(upbeat music)
Tyler James Williams was born
in Westchester County, New York, in 1992.
He along with his two younger brothers,
grew up in Yonkers, New York.
Williams caught the entertainment bug
at an early age from his mother
a singer and songwriter.
At just eight years old,
Tyler had his first role on "Sesame Street."
Following it up with voicing Bobby on "Little Bill."
Then small parts on the legendary sketch show,
"Saturday Night Live."
In 2005, Tyler's family relocated to Los Angeles
to help further his career.
This was the year he got his breakout role
of Chris on "Everybody Hates Chris."
Then Chris Rock produced and narrated sitcom,
had Tyler starring alongside Terry Crews and Tichina Arnold.
While looking back at his iconic role,
Tyler told Variety, "My childhood will always
be uniquely linked to Chris.
Because so much of my childhood was him.
My interpretation of Chris at that time
was somebody who was emotionally intelligent
and aware of what was happening
in the world around him and empathetic."
In 2006, the series was nominated for a Golden Globe
for best television series, musical, or comedy.
The American Film Institute named it
one of 10 best television series in 2007.
And Tyler won a 2007 NAACP Image Award,
for outstanding actor in the comedy series.
Tyler added some notable credits to his resume
appearing in 2006's "Unaccompanied Minors",
"True Jackson, VP" alongside Kiki Palmer in 2009,
and "House."
Then in 2012, he scored a lead role in Disney's
"Let It Shine" with Coco Jones, Trevor Jackson,
and Courtney B Vance.
Williams got to use his secret talents for the role.
"I've been writing and producing music since I was 13.
But I never really wanted to put myself out there.
I started out writing poetry, spoken word.
That was pretty much how I started."
Tyler shared with Channel Guide Magazine.
"Let It Shine" was the most watched
Disney channel original movie when it aired.
Earning 5.7 million viewers and becoming
the number one movie across kids and tweens.
2013 brought Tyler to the big screen
in "Tyler Perry Presents Peeples" as Simon Peeples.
Then in 2014, he went on to play Lionel Higgins,
in the 2014 film, "Dear White People."
The film was different than any comedy
he'd acted in to date, exactly what the actor wanted.
When the script hit his desk, he was sold.
Tyler told Variety Magazine,
"This is something that cannot only possibly
define my career, but define a generation."
Alongside Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris,
and Dennis Haysbert, the critically acclaimed film
went on to be nominated for a 2015 NAACP Image Award
for outstanding motion picture.
Later in 2014, Tyler joined the hit cast
on the fifth season of the "Walking Dead" as Noah.
The seasoned actor knew about his demise
before the script even made it to him.
He was tipped off by a simple scene
of Rick laying a blanket over his character.
He then went on to appear in "Criminal Minds",
the spinoff "Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders",
then a leading role in The CW's "Whiskey Cavalier."
Tyler got a chance to dust off his comedic acting chops
appearing in the HBO sketch comedy show,
"A Black Lady Sketch Show" with Robin Thede,
Ashley Nicole Black, and his future executive producer
and co-star Quinta Brunson in 2019.
It was their connection on "A Black Lady Sketch Show"
that opened the door to the role of Gregory Eddie,
on "Abbott Elementary."
"I saw an opportunity in Gregory Eddie
to show black male teachers in a way that
I don't think we've really seen before.
With a vast emotional spectrum,
a deep care for his kids, and getting sucked
into this crazy world that is the public school system
regardless of if this is what he planned
for his life or not."
He said to Huffington Post.
Tyler Williams has grown up before our eyes,
in front of the camera on big and small screens.
He's shown his range, giving audiences characters
from the hilarious young Chris Rock,
to Lionel in "Dear White People",
and Gregory Eddie in the hit series, "Abbott Elementary."
Despite seeing this amazing actor for years,
there's no doubt more stellar performances are to come.
(bright upbeat music)