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Gary Anthony Williams

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Gary Anthony Williams
Williams performing with Laughing Matters at Manuel's in May 2007
Born (1959-03-14) March 14, 1959 (age 65)
Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
  • director
  • producer
  • writer
Years active1981–present
SpouseLeslie Williams
Children1

Gary Anthony Williams (born March 14, 1959)[1] is an American actor, comedian, director, producer, and writer. He provided the voice of Uncle Ruckus on The Boondocks, and a number of video game characters. He appeared on the television series Weeds, Boston Legal, Blue Collar TV and as Abe Kenarban in Malcolm in the Middle. Williams co-founded and is Artistic Director of the L.A. Comedy Shorts film festival in Hollywood, California. He starred alongside Cedric the Entertainer on the TV Land sitcom The Soul Man. He has been a recurring guest on the improv comedy TV series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, and is a regular member of the live improv comedy show The Black Version.

Early life and career

Born in Fayetteville, Georgia,[2] Williams was involved in theater, comedy and television in Atlanta, where his credits include acting with the Georgia Shakespeare Festival, performing and writing for Agatha's: A Taste of Mystery and being a longtime member of Atlanta's longest running improv troupe, Laughing Matters.[3][4][5] Williams had recurring roles in the television series I'll Fly Away and In the Heat of the Night, both filmed in the Atlanta area. He moved to Los Angeles in 1998.[6]

Television

Williams' past roles include Abe Kenarban (Stevie's dad) in the Fox TV sitcom Malcolm in the Middle[7] and as Judge Trudy's Bailiff on Nickelodeon's The Amanda Show.[8] Williams was a series regular on the WB Television Network sketch comedy series, Blue Collar TV.[9]

In 2003, Williams had a small role in an episode of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, "Invisible Evidence." During season three and four of Boston Legal, Williams appeared as part-time lawyer Clarence Bell, a pathologically shy man who expresses himself through characters, including crossdressing as women (including a nun and celebrities such as Oprah Winfrey).[10] The role of Clarence/Clarice was originally to appear in one episode, but was expanded into a recurring role and then a regular role.[10]

Williams plays parts in five different shows on Cartoon Network's late night programming block, Adult Swim, one being a STRATA technician on Saul of the Molemen, another as the self-hating African American, Uncle Ruckus on The Boondocks,[2] Coroner Rick, a recurring character on Stroker and Hoop, he also played the role of Paul Revere on the television special, The Young Person's Guide to History, and served as the voice-over announcer for The Eric Andre Show until 2013. He also voiced Riff Tamson in the opening three episodes of season four of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. He is also the voice of Mr. Dos on Special Agent Oso. He appeared on an episode of Hot in Cleveland as a drama teacher and soccer coach.

In 2009 and 2010, Williams provided the voice of the supervillain Mongul for several episodes of the animated series, Batman: The Brave and the Bold. On one occasion, he voiced the character's sister, Mongal. He also voiced the supervillain Thunderball in The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Williams is currently working on a new Mike Judge animated series. He was part of a segment in the show Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction, and guest-starred on How I Met Your Mother and Two and a Half Men. Williams also guest stars as the halfway house director in the 7th season of the TV show Weeds. In 2011, he joined the cast of the animated series China, IL as the voice of Doctor Falgot. Williams was also in an episode of the show Workaholics. He was a series regular for the animated sketch comedy series Mad and is currently voicing Mr. McStuffins for the animated Disney Junior series, Doc McStuffins[11] and Dirty Dan and Dusty for the animated Disney Junior series Sheriff Callie's Wild West. He is also the narrator for the TV One series UNSUNG.[12] From 2012 to 2016, Williams appeared as the recurring character Lester on the TV Land original sitcom The Soul Man.

Since 2013, Williams has been a replacement performer on the CW revival of the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, where he improvises scenes and songs. He also provides the voice for Mufasa in The Lion Guard replacing James Earl Jones, and has provided voices for Star Wars Rebels. In 2017, he voiced Bark Knight and Baboo from the animated Disney Junior series Puppy Dog Pals.

Film

Williams has appeared in films such as Undercover Brother, appearing as Smart Brother (having previously voiced the Undercover Brother character in the original internet animated series),[8] Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle,[13] and Soul Plane. On the Boondocks second-season premiere, "...Or Die Trying", Riley Freeman and Robert Freeman are seen watching the Soul Plane 2 trailer, when they distinctly hear Williams and voice of grandad, John Witherspoon (who also had an acting role in Soul Plane), having a conversation on the plane. He also voiced Sweet in The Trumpet of the Swan. Williams also appeared in the film The Factory, starring John Cusack (with whom he also appeared in Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (1997)). In 2011, Williams narrated the feature-length documentary Ayn Rand and the Prophecy of Atlas Shrugged.[citation needed] Perhaps his most well known role is as Melvin (a father) in House Party: Tonight's the Night. Williams played Anton Zeck/Bebop in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows (2016).[14] He voiced the demon in the horror film Truth or Dare (2018).

Improvisational comedy

Williams is a regular performer with the Flying Fannoli Brothers, an improv comedy band.[15] He performs in the improvisational shows Cookin' With Gas and The Black Version at The Groundlings Theatre in Los Angeles. Williams also returns to Atlanta to perform with Laughing Matters once or twice a year. Since 2013 he has been a recurring performer on The CW's revival of Whose Line Is It Anyway?.

Video games

Williams provided the voice for the character of Yancy Westridge in the video game Alpha Protocol, and Horace Warfield in StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty and StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.

Personal life

Williams is married to Leslie.[16] Together they have a son, Ethan.[17]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1994 Radioland Murders Dr. Ashton-Reeves
1997 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Bus Driver
1998 Ride Tiny
1999 When Actors Attack Amok Actor
End of Days Utility Worker #2
2001 All You Need Brian
The Trumpet of the Swan Sweets (voice) [18]
2002 Undercover Brother Smart Brother
2004 Soul Plane Flame
Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle Tarik Jackson
Jiminy Glick in Lalawood Randall Bookerton
2006 The Adventures of Brer Rabbit Brer Bear (voice) Direct-to-video[18]
2010 Firebreather Principal Dave, Troy's Dad (voices) Television film[18]
2012 Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Mutant Leader, Anchor Bill (voices) Direct-to-video[18]
The Factory Darryl
2013 House Party: Tonight's the Night Melvin Johnson Direct-to-video
I Know That Voice Himself Documentary film
Scooby-Doo! and the Spooky Scarecrow Mayor Husk (voice) Direct-to-DVD[18]
2014 Muffin Top: A Love Story Gregory David Gregory
Achmed Saves America Mayor McKuen (voice)
2016 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows Anton Zeck / Bebop
2017 Cook Off!
I Don't Feel at Home in This World Anymore William Bendix
Scooby-Doo! Shaggy's Showdown Cook (voice) Direct-to-video[18]
2018 Truth or Dare Demon (voice)
An Accidental Zombie (Named Ted) Bradley

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1990 In the Heat of the Night Ramsey Morgan Episode: "Heart of Gold"
1991 I'll Fly Away Dayton Episode: "Coming Home"
1995 The Client Sonny Episode: "Pilot"
1996 Chasing the Dragon Television film
1997 First Time Felon Wallace
1998 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction Playground Bully 2 episodes
Brimstone Fanaro's Neighbor Episode: "Executioner"
1999 Any Day Now Episode: "I Wish You Could Understand"
1999–2000 The Amanda Show Bailiff ("Judge Trudy" segment) Recurring role
2000 City of Angels Nurse Elliot Episode: "Oscar de la Boya"
Men in Black: The Series Additional voices Episode: "The Back to School Syndrome"
2000–2006 Malcolm in the Middle Abraham "Abe" Kenarban 18 episodes
2001 NYPD Blue Charles Episode: "Dying to Testify"
The Wild Thornberrys Forest Hog, Bushbuck (voices) Episode: "The Trouble with Darwin"[18]
Unreal TV The Insecurity Guard, Clarence the Christian Pimp Television film
Off Limits Cast Unknown episodes
2002 The Parkers Randall Episode: "And the Winner Is..."
2003 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Auto Detail Guy Episode: "Invisible Evidence"
2005 Stroker and Hoop Coroner Rick, Jermane Washington, Ghost of Christmas Present, Various voices 6 episodes[18]
2005–2014 The Boondocks Uncle Ruckus (voice) Main role
2006–2008 Boston Legal Clarence / Clarice Bell 36 episodes
2007 Andy Barker, P.I. Ron Episode: "Pilot"
2007–2009 Curious George The Coach, Businessman (voices) 2 episodes
2008 Young Person's Guide to History Paul Revere Television special
Chowder Tofu, Rat #2, Egg #2 (voices) Episode: "Shnitzel Quits"
The Xtacles Additional voices 2 episodes
2008–2009 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Mongul, Mongal, Fun Haus (voices) 3 episodes[18]
2009 Desperate Housewives Reggie 2 episodes
The Goode Family Ray Johnson, DMV Person, Ted, Various voices 13 episodes
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Snowman, Raisin #2 (voices) Episode: "A Very Sunny Christmas"
2009–present Unsung Narrator / Himself 138 episodes
2009–2012 Special Agent Oso Mr. Dos (voice) 23 episodes[18]
2010 Hot in Cleveland Coach Taylor Episode: "The Play's the Thing"
How I Met Your Mother Inspector Episode: "Home Wreckers"
Fred: The Movie Laundromat Manager Television film
The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Thunderball (voice) Episode: "Thor the Mighty"[18]
2010–2013 Mad Optimus Prime, Lex Luthor, War Machine, Donkey Kong, Flutterguy, Cyborg, Martian Manhunter, Kilowog, Black Lightning, Count Dooku, Additional voices Main role
2011 Weeds Ed Watson 3 episodes
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated Dr. Cavanaugh (voice) Episode: "The Siren's Song"
Star Wars: The Clone Wars Riff Tamson (voice) 3 episodes
2011–2015 China, IL Dr. Jack Falgot, Golden Bowl, Additional voices Main role
2012 The Eric Andre Show Announcer Season 1, 10 episodes
Motorcity Mr. Gordy (voice) Episode: "Reunion"[18]
2012–2016 The Soul Man Lester 12 episodes
2012–2014 Black Dynamite Halloween Party Radio DJ, George Washington Carver III, News Reporter (voices) 3 episodes
2012–2016 Doc McStuffins Marcus McStuffins (voice) Recurring role[18]
2013 Beware the Batman Michael Holt (voices) Episode: "Hunted"[18]
2013–2015 Rick and Morty Various roles 4 episodes
2013–present Whose Line Is It Anyway? Himself Recurring
27 episodes
2014 Mike & Molly Emcee Episode: "Open Mike Night"
Benched Geoffrey 3 episodes
Sofia the First Hobwing (voice) Episode: "The Curse of Princess Ivy"[18]
2014–2016 TripTank Wizard, Reneger, Dream Wizard, Additional voices 10 episodes[18]
2014–2017 Sheriff Callie's Wild West Dirty Dan, Dusty, Sidekick Rustler (voices) 31 episodes
2015 Key and Peele Brunswick Smith Episode: "Key and Peele's Super Bowl Special"
The Awesomes Additional voices 3 episodes
Two and a Half Men Leo Episode: "For Whom the Booty Calls"
2016 Star Wars Rebels Gron, Stormtrooper #2, Stormtrooper Commander #1 (voices) Episode "Legends of Lasat"
Transformers: Robots in Disguise Slicedice (voice) 2 episodes[18]
The Loud House Super Mart Manager (voice) Episode: "Cereal Offender"[18]
2016–2018 Spontaneanation Himself 13 episodes
2016–2019 The Lion Guard Mufasa (voice) Recurring role[18]
2017 Superior Donuts Howard Episode: "Flour Power"
Man with a Plan Bob Episode: "What About Bob?"
Bob's Burgers Judge Conklin (voice) Episode: "A Few 'Gurt Men"
Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! Agent Conductor (voice) Episode: "Mysteries on the Disorient Express"
2017–present I'm Sorry Brian Recurring
Unknown episodes
2018 Miles from Tomorrowland Fortis, Hemeran (voices) Episode: "Grendel's Moving Castle/The Great Gadfly"
Hanazuki: Full of Treasures Axo (voice) Episode: "Dance on the Dark Side"
Star Wars Resistance Kragan Gorr (voice) Episode: "The Triple Dark"
2018–20 The Neighborhood Ernie 3 episodes
2019 Mom Warren Episode: "A Dark Closet and Therapy with Horses"
Epic Rap Battles of History Bill Cosby Web series
Episode: "George Carlin vs. Richard Pryor"
Just Roll with It Smiley Waterman Episode: "Family Squabbles"
Love, Death & Robots XBOT 4000 (voice) Episode: "Three Robots"
SpongeBob SquarePants Goofy Manager, Customer (voices) Episode: "The Goofy Newbie"
Robot Chicken Thanos, Scruffy, Chef (voices) Episode: "Boogie Bardstown in: No Need, I Have Coupons"
Tigtone Memory Gnome, Barteener (voices) Recurring role
2019–present Bless the Harts Leonard (voice) Recurring role
2020–present Central Park Various voices
2021 Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur Pops (voice)
The Crew Chuck Stubbs[19] Main role

Video games

Year Title Role
2002 Star Trek: Starfleet Command III Additional voices
2003 Evil Dead: A Fistful of Boomstick Additional voices
2006 Yakuza Additional voices
2007 Mass Effect Charles Saracino, Elanos Haliat, Citadel Control, Turian Diplomat
2009 Halo Wars Additional voices
Infamous Male Pedestrian
2010 Alpha Protocol Yancy Westridge
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty General Warfield, Tal'darim Executor, Void Ray
Batman: The Brave and the Bold – The Videogame Mongul
2013 StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm General Warfield
2016 XCOM 2 Tygan
2017 XCOM 2: War of the Chosen Tygan
Horizon Zero Dawn Burgrend

Crew work

Year Title Position Notes
1982 The Toy (1982 film) Writer
1982-1998 Saturday Night Live Writer (1982-1992)

Co-Head Writer (1992-1998)

2002 Undercover Brother Writer
2008 I Own You Writer
2010 Bun in the Oven Writer
2011 Sometimes Pretty Girls Director and writer
2012 Small Hand Producer and writer
2013 Just Kidding Director, producer TV series
2014 Bun in the Oven 2: The Rebirth Director, executive producer
Life Hacks for Kids Director and writer
2014–2015 Bye Felicia TV series
8 episodes
2015 $100 Pet Challenge Director, executive producer and writer TV Mini-series
1 episode
Oh My Gosh Director TV Mini-series
2015–present Food Hack for Kids Director, producer TV series
2016 It's a Snackdown! TV Mini-series
8 episodes
Hollywood or Hollywouldn't Short film
2018 Life Hack for Kids: On the Road TV Mini-series
10 episodes

References

  1. ^ "Today in History". Philadelphia Tribune. March 14, 2010.
  2. ^ a b Eldridge, Richard L. "Atlantic Station's set for taste of Hollywood". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. October 20, 2005.
  3. ^ Garretson, Shari. "Cat on a Hot Tin Streetcar". '"The Atlanta Journal. May 25, 1994.
  4. ^ Gincel, Richard. "Instant comedy requires quick wits". The Atlanta Journal. July 22, 1993.
  5. ^ Downey, Maureen; Shurling, Bo. "No secret: TV role `Smart' move". The Atlanta Journal. October 18, 1994.
  6. ^ Ho, Rodney. "Dad's Garage goes big at Fox with new fundraiser The Fabulous Fox Theatre plays host to this year's event". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. June 10, 2015.
  7. ^ Simon, Mashaun D. "Georgian Stars With Eddie Griffin In New Action-Comedy". Atlanta Daily World. May 2, 2002. p. 6.
  8. ^ a b Thomas, Don. "Gary Anthony Williams: A Theatrically Trained Performer". New York Beacon. May 1, 2002. p. 31.
  9. ^ Ho, Rodney. "Random Bits". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. December 27, 2005.
  10. ^ "Disney Junior Celebrates Black History Month with "We Are Doc Mcstuffins"". Chicago Citizen. February 13, 2013. p. 15.
  11. ^ "EUR Hollywood Gossip Scoop". The Jacksonville Free Press (Jacksonville, Florida). May 21, 2009. p. 9.
  12. ^ Cahillane, Kevin. "Homegrown: A Stoner Comedy Straight Out of Randolph". '"The New York Times. August 16, 2004. p. 7.
  13. ^ Foran, Chris. "TMNT return to spotlight". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. June 3, 2016.
  14. ^ Littlejohn, Janice (November 19, 2007). "'Boondocks': Raising a ruckus". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Mass.: New England Newspapers Inc. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
  15. ^ https://www.people.com/archive/mister-big-vol-57-no-23/%3famp=true
  16. ^ https://people.com/parents/gary-anthony-wi/?amp=true
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Gary-Anthony-Williams/
  18. ^ Petski, Denise (December 17, 2019). "'The Crew': Kevin James' Netflix NASCAR Comedy Series Sets Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
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