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
Williams in 2020
Born
August 31, 1987 (age 37) Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active2011–present

Life and career

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Williams 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

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Film

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Year 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

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Year 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

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Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
2019 Indie Series Awards Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress - Drama "Poz Roz" Nominated

References

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  1. ^ "5 Things To Know About Melissa L. Williams, Star of Tyler Perry's 'Ruthless'". BET.com.
  2. ^ a b "BET Press | Tyler Perry's Ruthless - Biography - Melissa L. Williams". www.betpressroom.com.
  3. ^ Vo, Thao (October 4, 2019). "Melissa L. Williams Weighs In on Her Role on BET's 'The Oval'".
  4. ^ "11th Annual Indie Series Awards Nominations".
  5. ^ Swift, Andy (November 7, 2019). "Tyler Perry's The Oval Scores Spinoff About Religious Sex Cult on BET+".
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (February 21, 2020). "'Tyler Perry's Ruthless' Gets Premiere Date On BET+".
  7. ^ "The Quarantined Talent: Breakout Star Melissa L. Williams". www.goldenglobes.com.
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