Personal Info
Birth date
1963-03-18 (62 Years)
Gender
Female
Known for
Acting
Place of birth
Tarrytown, New York, USA
Also known as
Vanessa L. William
Vanessa Lynn Williams
ونسا ویلیامز
Vanessa Williams
Biography
An American pop-R&B recording artist, producer, dancer, model, and actress. In 1983, she became the first woman of African-American descent to be crowned Miss America, but a scandal involving nude photographs caused her to relinquish her title early. Williams rebounded by launching a career as an entertainer, earning Grammy, Emmy, and Tony Award nominations. Williams released her debut album The Right Stuff in 1988, which spawned the hits "The Right Stuff," a #1 on Hot Dance Songs, and "Dreamin'," a #1 on R&B and #8 on Billboard Hot 100. Her second studio album, The Comfort Zone, in 1991 topped the Billboard R&B Album Chart, and spawned the number-one hit, "Save the Best for Last." In 1994 she debuted on Broadway in the musical Kiss of the Spider Woman. In 1995 she recorded the Oscar-winner for Best Original Song, "Colors of the Wind," from the Disney animated feature film Pocahontas. It went on to reach #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. Williams's first major movie role was as the star of the feature film Eraser in 1996. She also starred in the movies Soul Food, Dance with Me, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland, Shaft and Johnson Family Vacation. From 2006 to 2010 she played the role of self-absorbed diva and former supermodel Wilhelmina Slater in the ABC comedy series Ugly Betty. In 2009, Williams released her eighth studio album, The Real Thing. In 2010 she joined the ensemble cast of the series Desperate Housewives as spoiled rich woman Renee Perry.
Filmography
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
5.136
Overview:
Bravo network executive Andy Cohen discusses pop culture topics with celebrities and reality show personalities.The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
6.785
Overview:
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson is an American late-night talk show hosted by Scottish American comedian Craig Ferguson, who is the third regular host of the Late Late Show franchise. It follows Late Show with David Letterman in the CBS late-night lineup, airing weekdays in the US at 12:37 a.m. It is taped in front of a live studio audience from Monday to Friday at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, California, directly above the Bob Barker Studio. It is produced by David Letterman's production company Worldwide Pants Incorporated and CBS Television Studios. Since becoming host on January 3, 2005, after Craig Kilborn and Tom Snyder, Ferguson has achieved the highest ratings since the show's inception in 1995. While the majority of the episodes focus on comedy, Ferguson has also addressed difficult subject matter, such as the deaths of his parents, and undertaken serious interviews, such as one with Desmond Tutu, which earned the show a 2009 Peabody Award.The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
7.465
Overview:
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson is a talk show hosted by Johnny Carson under The Tonight Show franchise from 1962 to 1992. It originally aired during late-night. For its first ten years, Carson's Tonight Show was based in New York City with occasional trips to Burbank, California; in May 1972, the show moved permanently to Burbank, California. In 2002, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson was ranked #12 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time.The Kelly Clarkson Show
6.477
Overview:
Kelly Clarkson presents the biggest newsmakers and names in film, television and music; as well as emerging new talent and everyday people who are beacons of hope in their communities.The Graham Norton Show
7.2
Overview:
Each week celebrity guests join Irish comedian Graham Norton to discuss what's being going on around the world that week. The guests poke fun and share their opinions on the main news stories. Graham is often joined by a band or artist to play the show out.Good Day Live
3
Overview:
Good Day Live was a nationwide talk show seen weekdays on FOX affiliates throughout the US. Each FOX owned and operated station airs a separate Good Day program as part of its newscast. Some FOX stations air up to five hours on weekday mornings, up to three on weekend mornings, (and almost 50% of the programming on these stations contains a locally produced newscast of local news, traffic, national news, weather, sports, business, and public affairs.)Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
7.883
Overview:
At Deep Space Nine, a space station located next to a wormhole in the vicinity of the liberated planet of Bajor, Commander Sisko and crew welcome alien visitors, root out evildoers and solve all types of unexpected problems that come their way.LIVE with Kelly and Mark
5.641
Overview:
A morning talk show with A-list celebrity guests, top-notch performances and one-of-a-kind segments that are unrivaled on daytime television, plus spontaneous, hilarious and unpredictable talk.The Wendy Williams Show
6
Overview:
Radio personality Wendy Williams is the host to her own live syndicated talk show. Wendy injects her television series with the same style that characterizes her radio show, and divides on-air time between probing celebrity interviews and advice-giving to audience members.Sherri
4.2
Overview:
Sherri Shepherd, actress, comic, and Emmy Award-winning longtime co-host of "The View", appears before a live audience with a daily dose of pop culture, comedy, conversations, and daytime talk staples, including celebrity and human interest interviews.Jimmy Kimmel Live!
5.5
Overview:
Jimmy Kimmel Live! is an American late-night talk show, created and hosted by Jimmy Kimmel and broadcast on ABC.RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars
7.3
Overview:
The most celebrated competitors from RuPaul's Drag Race vie for a second chance to enter Drag Race herstory. This drag queen showdown is filled with plenty of heated competition, lip-syncing for the legacy, and, of course, the All-Stars Snatch Game.The Good Wife
7.599
Overview:
Alicia Florrick boldly assumes full responsibility for her family and re-enters the workforce after her husband's very public sex and political corruption scandal lands him in jail.The View
4.5
Overview:
ABC Daytime's morning chatfest, currently featuring Whoopi Goldberg, Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and Ana Navarro discussing the most exciting events of the day. Hot topics in the news, the best experts in their field, celebrity interviews and general entertainment are all part of The View.Saturday Night Live
6.962
Overview:
A late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels. The show's comedy sketches, which parody contemporary culture and politics, are performed by a large and varying cast of repertory and newer cast members. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest, who usually delivers an opening monologue and performs in sketches with the cast, and features performances by a musical guest.Desperate Housewives
7.917
Overview:
Looking down on her friends and family isn't a way of life for Mary Alice Young... it's a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she's taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated P.O.V.On Air with Ryan Seacrest
9.5
Overview:
On Air with Ryan Seacrest is an American syndicated television talk show, which ran from January 12, 2004 through September 17, 2004. It was distributed in the United States and Canada by Twentieth Television.RuPaul's Drag Race
7.552
Overview:
Join RuPaul, the world's most famous drag queen, as the host, mentor and judge for the ultimate in drag queen competitions. The top drag queens in the U.S. will vie for drag stardom as RuPaul, in full glamazon drag, will reign supreme in all judging and eliminations while helping guide the contestants as they prepare for each challenge.The Ellen DeGeneres Show
5.7
Overview:
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to just Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres.The Jonathan Ross Show
5.1
Overview:
The Jonathan Ross Show is a British chat show presented by Jonathan Ross. It was first broadcast on ITV on 3 September 2011 and currently airs on Saturday evenings following the conclusion of Ross' BBC One chat show, Friday Night with Jonathan Ross, in July 2010.Modern Family
7.875
Overview:
The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is a wonderfully large and blended family. They give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted, embrace of the modern family.The Mindy Project
6.202
Overview:
Obstetrician/gynecologist Mindy Lahiri tries to balance her personal and professional life, surrounded by quirky co-workers in a small medical practice in New York City.The Tony Danza Show
6.1
Overview:
The Tony Danza Show was a daytime variety talk show that premiered on September 13, 2004 in syndication and was distributed by Buena Vista Television.The Bachelorette
4.2
Overview:
A single bachelorette dates multiple men over several weeks, narrowing them down to hopefully find her true love.Chicago Hope
7.243
Overview:
Chicago Hope is an American medical drama television series, created by David E. Kelley. It ran on CBS from September 18, 1994, to May 4, 2000. The series is set in a fictional private charity hospital in Chicago, Illinois. The show is set to return in the fall of 2013 on TVGN in reruns.Broad City
7.1
Overview:
Broad City follows two women throughout their daily lives in New York City, making the smallest and mundane events hysterical and disturbing to watch all at the same time.Tamron Hall
5.1
Overview:
Former news host and journalist Tamron Hall discusses all things topical and engages those she interviews in thorough meaningful and entertaining conversations.T. J. Hooker
6.394
Overview:
Sergeant Thomas Jefferson Hooker is a tough-as-nails veteran police officer with the LCPD who turns his back on a gold badge and goes back to patrolling the streets and training recruits. Along with his young partners in blue, Hooker take on Lake City's toughest criminals.The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air
7.923
Overview:
Will, a street-smart teenager, moves from the tough streets of West Philly to posh Bel-Air to live with his Uncle Philip, Aunt Vivian, his cousins — spoiled Hilary, preppy Carlton and young Ashley — and their sophisticated British butler, Geoffrey. Though Will’s antics and upbringing contrast greatly with the upper-class lifestyle of his extended relatives, he soon finds himself right at home as a loved part of the family.Acting
2024Happy Clothes: A Film About Patricia Field as Self
2024The Little Pageant That Could as Self (archive footage)
2024Elsbeth (1 Episode) as Roslyn Bridwell
2023Tripped Up as Patricia Chamberlain
2023Celebrating 50 Years of Broadway's Best as Self
2023Zora Neale Hurston: Claiming a Space as Narrator (voice)
2023Velma (6 Episodes) as Dr. Perdue (voice)
2022The Jennifer Hudson Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
2022Sherri (1 Episode) as Self - Guest
2021Queen of the Universe (14 Episodes) as Self - Judge
2021Show of Titles as "Dear World" Performer
2021Girls5eva (3 Episodes) as Nance Trace
2021Bad Hair as Zora
2021Name That Tune (1 Episode) as Self - Contestant
2020Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams (1 Episode) as Self - Host
2020Vanessa Williams: Live From the West Side as Unknown
2020There She Is as Unknown
2020Secret Celebrity RuPaul's Drag Race (1 Episode) as Self - Special Guest / Vanqueisha De House
2020Calling All T.O.T.S. (10 Episodes) as Captain Beakman (voice)
2020Singleholic as Jackie Chisolm
2020Stars in the House (1, 1 Episode) as Self, Self - Special Guest
2019Miss Virginia as Sally Rae
2019Tamron Hall (1 Episode) as Self - Guest
2019The Kelly Clarkson Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
2019A Black Lady Sketch Show (1 Episode) as Delilah
2019Batman: Hush as Amanda Waller (voice)
2019T.O.T.S. (150 Episodes) as Captain Beakman (voice)
2019American Style (4 Episodes) as Self
2018The Legend of Hallowaiian as Fire Goddess (voice)
2018Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay as Amanda Waller (voice)
2017The Man from Earth: Holocene as Carolyn
2017Daytime Divas (10 Episodes) as Maxine Robinson
2017Not Black Enough as Self
2016VH1 Divas Holiday: Unsilent Night as Self
2016The Secret She Kept as Beverly
2016The $100,000 Pyramid (1 Episode) as Self
2016Match Game (1 Episode) as Self - Panelist
2015Show Boat as Julie LaVerne
2015Difficult People (1 Episode) as Trish
2014The Librarians (4 Episodes) as Cynthia Rockwell
2014The Trip to Bountiful as Jessie Mae Watts
2014Broad City (1 Episode) as Elizabeth Carlton
2013He's Way More Famous Than You as Vanessa Williams
2013Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor as Janice
2012RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (1 Episode) as Self - Guest Judge
2012666 Park Avenue (13 Episodes) as Olivia Doran
2012The Mindy Project (1 Episode) as Dr. Phillips
2012Bethenny (1 Episode) as Self - Guest
2011The Jonathan Ross Show (1 Episode) as Self - Guest
2011A Mother's Love as Rochelle Richardson
2010Who Do You Think You Are? (1 Episode) as Self
2009Modern Family (1 Episode) as Rhonda
2009The Good Wife (4 Episodes) as Courtney Paige
2009Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (3 Episodes) as Self - Guest
2009Hannah Montana: The Movie as Vita
2009RuPaul's Drag Race (1, 1, 1, 1 Episode) as Self - Special Guest, Unknown, Self - Guest Judge, Self - Judge (archive footage)
2008The Wendy Williams Show (1 Episode) as Unknown
2007Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (26 Episodes) as Mama Mirabelle (voice)
2007Shear Genius (1 Episode) as Unknown
2007The Graham Norton Show (1 Episode) as Self
2007And Then Came Love as Julie
2006Ugly Betty (85 Episodes) as Willhelmina Slater
2006Rehearsing a Dream as Self
2006South Beach (8 Episodes) as Elizabeth Bauer
2006My Brother as L'Tisha Morton
2005The Reichen Show (1 Episode) as Self
2005Gift for the Living as Narrator
2005Broadway's Lost Treasures III: The Best of The Tony Awards as Witch (segment "Into the Woods") (archive footage)
2005The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (1 Episode) as Self
2004Christmas in Washington as Unknown
2004The 7th Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest as Self
2004Desperate Housewives (46 Episodes) as Renee Perry
2004The Tony Danza Show (5 Episodes) as Self - Guest
2004Johnson Family Vacation as Dorothy Johnson
2004Sesame Street: What's the Name of That Song? as Self (archive footage)
2004On Air with Ryan Seacrest (1 Episode) as Self
2003The Ellen DeGeneres Show (1 Episode) as Self
2003Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives as Unknown
2003Jimmy Kimmel Live! (1 Episode) as Self
2003The Bachelorette (1 Episode) as Self
2002Boomtown (6 Episodes) as Detective Katherine Pierce
2002Keep the Faith, Baby as Hazel Scott
2002It's Black Entertainment as Self - Host
2001Santa, Baby! as Alicia (voice)
2001Good Day Live (1 Episode) as Self
2001The Proud Family (1 Episode) as Debra (voice)
2001WW3 as M.J. Blake (as Vanessa L. Williams)
2000A Diva's Christmas Carol as Ebony Scrooge
2000Christmas is Coming: Rob Mathes & Very Special Friends as Herself
2000Afrocentricity as Self
2000Shaft as Carmen Vasquez
2000Don Quixote as Dulcinea / Aldonza
2000The Courage to Love as Mother Henriette Delille
2000Shaft: Still the Man as Self
1999Light It Up as Audrey McDonald
1999The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland as Queen of Trash
1999Futuresport as Alexandra 'Alex' Torres
1998L.A. Doctors (3 Episodes) as Leanne Barrows
1998Dance with Me as Ruby Sinclair
1998Pavarotti & Friends - For the Children of Liberia as Self
1998VH1 Divas (1 Episode) as Unknown
1998LateLine (1 Episode) as Unknown
1997Soul Food as Teri
1997Ally McBeal (1 Episode) as Sheila Hunt
1997Hoodlum as Francine Hughes
1997The View (5, 1, 1 Episode) as Self, Self - Guest, Unknown
1997The Odyssey (2 Episodes) as Calypso
1996Jungle Cubs (1 Episode) as Unknown
1996Eraser as Lee Cullen
1996The Rosie O'Donnell Show (1 Episode) as Self - Guest
1995Bye Bye Birdie as Rose Alvarez
1995Nothing Lasts Forever (2 Episodes) as Dr. Kathy 'Kat' Hunter
1995Nothing Lasts Forever as Dr. Kathy 'Kat' Hunter
1995MADtv (1 Episode) as Self
1995Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (1 Episode) as Beauty (voice)
1995Some Enchanted Evening: Celebrating Oscar Hammerstein II as Self
1994Chicago Hope (2 Episodes) as Unknown
1994Score with Chicks as Unknown
1993Intimate Portrait (1 Episode) as Self (archive footage)
1993Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1 Episode) as Arandis
1992The Jacksons: An American Dream (2 Episodes) as Suzanne de Passe
1992Stompin' at the Savoy as Pauline
1991Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man as Lulu Daniels
1991Another You as Gloria
1990The Kid Who Loved Christmas as Lynette Parks
1990The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1 Episode) as Danny Mitchell
1990Seriously... Phil Collins as Rachel - TV Executive
1990Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer as Terri Knight
1989Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal as Valentine Hayward
1988American Experience (1 Episode) as Narrator (voice)
1988LIVE with Kelly and Mark (4 Episodes) as Self - Guest
1988Under the Gun as Samantha Richards
1987The Pick-up Artist as Rae, Girl with Dog
1984Partners in Crime (1 Episode) as Unknown
1982T. J. Hooker (1 Episode) as Officer Pat Williamson
1980A Capitol Fourth (44 Episodes) as Self
1975Saturday Night Live (2 Episodes) as Self - Musical Guest
1965Days of Our Lives (3 Episodes) as Valerie Grant
1962The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1 Episode) as Self
1956Tony Awards (1 Episode) as Self - Performer
1953The Oscars (1 Episode) as Self
Production
2000The Courage to Love ... Executive Producer