Melissa L. Williams | |
|---|---|
 Williams in 2020 | |
| Born | August 31, 1987 (age 37)Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2011–present |
Melissa L. Williams (born August 31, 1987) is an American actress and model, known for playing Denise and Ruth Truesdale in theBET prime time soap operaThe Oval and its spinoffRuthless.
Williams was born inOklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the oldest of six children.[1] Williams moved to Atlanta and attendedClark 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 onThe Game,If Loving You Is Wrong andRosewood. She receivedIndie Series Awards nomination for her performance inPoz Roz.[4]
In 2019,Tyler Perry cast Williams in a dual role as twin sisters in his BET prime time soap operaThe Oval.[5] She later went to star in its spinoffRuthless for streaming serviceBET+.[6][7]
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Year | Awards | Category | Recipient | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Indie Series Awards | Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress - Drama | "Poz Roz" | Nominated |