Melissa L. Williams (born August 31, 1987) is an American actress and model, known for playing Denise and Ruth Truesdale in the BET prime time soap opera The Oval and its spinoff Ruthless.
Melissa L. Williams | |
---|---|
Born | August 31, 1987 (age 37) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 2011–present |
Life and career
editWilliams was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the oldest of six children.[1] Williams moved to Atlanta and attended Clark Atlanta University.[2][3] She began her career appearing in several musicals at the local theater before moving to Los Angeles.[2] On television, she guest starred on The Game, If Loving You Is Wrong and Rosewood. She received Indie Series Awards nomination for her performance in Poz Roz.[4]
In 2019, Tyler Perry cast Williams in a dual role as twin sisters in his BET prime time soap opera The Oval.[5] She later went to star in its spinoff Ruthless for streaming service BET+.[6][7]
Filmography
editFilm
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | All the King's Horses | Officer Jane | Short |
2017 | The First Stone | Reigh | Short |
Escape Artist | Beatrice Evans | ||
2021 | Dutch | Nina | |
2023 | Game of Deceit | Elle | |
2024 | Dutch II: Angel's Revenge | Nina | |
2025 | Dutch III: International Gangster | Nina | Post—production |
Television
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | The Game | Jasmine | Episode: "Get Up, Stand Up" |
2016 | If Loving You Is Wrong | Grace | Episodes: "An Evil Alliance" & "For Pete" |
2017 | Rosewood | Woman #1 | Episode: "Mummies and Meltdowns" |
Hand of God | Nurse | Episode: "Not Writing a Love Letter" | |
2017-18 | Wade's World | Vanessa | Episodes: "AfterMath" & "Chess Not Checkers" |
2018 | Me, Myself & I | Beyonce Impersonator | Episode: "The Breakup" |
2019 | Hello Cupid 3.0 | Zaya | Main cast |
Poz Roz | Amber | Recurring cast | |
2019–21 | The Oval | Denise Truesdale/Ruth Truesdale | Recurring cast: season 1-2 |
2020– | Ruthless | Ruth Truesdale | Main cast |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Indie Series Awards | Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress - Drama | "Poz Roz" | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ "5 Things To Know About Melissa L. Williams, Star of Tyler Perry's 'Ruthless'". BET.com.
- ^ a b "BET Press | Tyler Perry's Ruthless - Biography - Melissa L. Williams". www.betpressroom.com.
- ^ Vo, Thao (October 4, 2019). "Melissa L. Williams Weighs In on Her Role on BET's 'The Oval'".
- ^ "11th Annual Indie Series Awards Nominations".
- ^ Swift, Andy (November 7, 2019). "Tyler Perry's The Oval Scores Spinoff About Religious Sex Cult on BET+".
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 21, 2020). "'Tyler Perry's Ruthless' Gets Premiere Date On BET+".
- ^ "The Quarantined Talent: Breakout Star Melissa L. Williams". www.goldenglobes.com.