Darnell Williams

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SOAP STAR STATS

Darnell Williams (Jesse, AMC)

Vital Statistics

The 411

Darnell Williams's Brooklyn-born parents welcomed him into the world in London, England, where his father, a career Air Force man, was stationed. Raised in England, New York and Okinawa, Japan, the actor/singer/dancer, one of eight children (five boys, three girls), would eventually take a bus to Hollywood to pursue his showbiz dreams. "I was just young and naive," he said of having made this bold move.

But, boy, did it pay off. While building a solid theater resumé, he made his television debut in 1980 on THE WHITE SHADOW and the next year was tapped to play Jesse on AMC. The role would be his breakthrough, earning him a Daytime Emmy nomination in his very first year on the show. By the time he departed AMC in 1988, Williams was a bona fide star, his pairing with Debbi Morgan as Angie a legendary soap coupling and his acting chops rewarded by his peers with two Daytime Emmys.

After his Pine Valley exit, Williams continued to work steadily. As a member of the ensemble cast of the highly regarded Robert Altman flick Short Cuts, he won a special Golden Globe Award in 1994. In 1995, Williams came back to daytime as a Jesse look-alike, Jacob Foster, which he played on LOVING and later on its spin-off, THE CITY. The move reunited him with his AMC leading lady, Morgan. After THE CITY's cancellation, from 2001-06, Williams worked behind the scenes at AMC as both an acting coach and a director. In 2007, he appeared on GL as Griggs. In December 2007, it was announced that he would be returning to AMC in January 2008 as an in-the-flesh Jesse.

Five Random Facts

— As a boy, his fanship of LOST IN SPACE inspired him to act.
— His R&B hit "Pure Satisfaction" reached No. 67 on the Billboard chart.
— Was a regular dancer on SOUL TRAIN from 1974-75
— Twice appeared with Debbi Morgan on the cover of Soap Opera Digest
— Recently co-directed Manhattanites, a film with a soap-heavy cast; Aiden Turner (Aidan, AMC) recommended him for the gig.

Darnell Williams' Photo Gallery>>>

Awards

Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor (for ALL MY CHILDREN), 1985
Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor (for ALL MY CHILDREN), 1982
Golden Globe Award for Best Ensemble Cast (for Short Cuts), 1994

Career Highlights

Other Soap Roles
GUIDING LIGHT (Griggs, 2007)
THE CITY (Jacob Foster, 1995-97)
LOVING (Jacob Foster, 1995)

TV Roles
LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT (Steven Stansfield, 2006)
HACK (Brian Anderson, 2003)
NASH BRIDGES (Ray Gantry, 2001)
NYPD BLUE (Corey, 2001)
FELICITY (John Papaleno, 1998-99)
CHICAGO HOPE (Mr. Jamison, 1999)
ER (Theo Williams, 1997)
HUNTER (Ellis Riley, 1988)
THE WHITE SHADOW (Eddie, 1980)
SOUL TRAIN (Dancer, 1974)

Film Roles
The Breakup Artist (Father Williams, 2004)
Short Cuts (Joe Robbins, 1993)

Memorable Quotes

"I got that from the real Jesses on the street. When I'm reading the script, if they have him saying something in a way he wouldn't say it, I just cross it out."
— on adding Jesse's streetwise lingo, Soap Opera Digest, 1/5/82

"I hope kids from broken homes can relate to Jesse and that eventually he can give them something to aspire to."
— Digest, 1/5/82

"I'm selfish when it comes to love."
— Digest, 1/5/82

RELATED RESOURCES

• Debbi Morgan (Angie, AMC)
• Rebecca Budig (Greenlee, AMC)
• Julia Barr (ex-Brooke, AMC)
• Melissa Claire Egan (Annie, AMC)
• Sabine Singh (ex-Greenlee, AMC)
• Alexa Havins (ex-Babe, AMC)
• Aiden Turner (Aidan, AMC)
• Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC)
• Leven Rambin (ex-Lily/Ava, AMC)
• Jacob Young (JR, AMC)
• Eden Riegel (Bianca, AMC)