Gregory Alan Williams

Gregory Alan Williams (born June 12, 1956)[1] is an American actor and author. He is best known for portraying LAPD Officer Garner Ellerbee in Baywatch. From 2011 until 2013, Williams portrayed the role of Coach Pat Purnell in the USA Network series Necessary Roughness. Williams also appeared on the 2015 ABC series Secrets and Lies and then on Greenleaf, and later on 2017's Manhunt: Unabomber.

Gregory Alan Williams
Born (1956-06-12) June 12, 1956
Des Moines, Iowa, U.S.
Other namesGregory Alan-Williams
Gregalan Williams
GregAlan Williams
OccupationActor, author
Years active1988–present

Life and acting career

Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Williams graduated from East High School, and attended Coe College and served in the United States Marine Corps before pursuing a career in acting. He made his acting debut opposite Steven Seagal in the 1988 film Above the Law. The following year, Williams won the role of Garner Ellerbee in Baywatch. He reprised the role in the 1995 spin-off series Baywatch Nights before returning to Baywatch in 1996.

After leaving the series in 1998, Williams has had recurring guest roles on The Sopranos, The West Wing, The District, The Game, Army Wives, and Drop Dead Diva. Additionally, he has guest starred in episodes of NYPD Blue, Boston Legal, One Tree Hill, and Meet the Browns and has also lent his voice to the animated series Aqua Teen Hunger Force. From 2009 to 2013, Williams appeared as Judge Warren Libby in the comedy series Drop Dead Diva. Since 2011, Williams has portrayed the role of Coach Pat Purnell in the USA Network drama series Necessary Roughness.

Williams has also had roles in several films, including Remember the Titans (2000), Old School (2003), Be Cool (2005), Dog Days of Summer (2007), Oliver Stone's biopic W. (2008), The Collector (2009), and MacGruber (2010). Williams also serves as the host of the syndicated series Know Your Heritage and Know Your Heritage: Black College Quiz.[2]

Writing

In addition to acting, Williams has authored four books including A Gathering of Heroes: Reflections on Rage and Responsibility: A Memoir of the Los Angeles Riots. The book chronicles Williams' life and experiences with racism, along with an incident during the 1992 Los Angeles riots in which Williams saved the life of a Japanese American man who was being beaten by rioters.[3]

Filmography
Film
Year Title Role Notes
1988 Above the Law FBI Agent Halloran Credited as Gregory Alan-Williams
1989 Major League Bull Pen Guard
1989 The Package Colonel Woods
1993 In the Line of Fire Secret Service Agent Matt Wilder Credited as Greg Alan-Williams
1997 Stag Taylor Rundgren Credited as GregAlan Williams
2000 Remember the Titans Coach Paul "Doc" Hines
2003 The Beat Mr. Bernard
2003 Old School Therapist Credited as Greg Alan Williams
2006 Dirty Laundry Percy
2008 Mutant Vampire Zombies from the 'Hood! Dr. Reginald Monte
2009 The Collector Sheriff
2010 Blood Done Sign My Name Dr. Samuel Proctor
2013 Jimmy Coach Sellers
2013 Beat Street Resurrection Capt. Tim Weathers Alternative title: Beat Street 2012
2013 Teachers Robert
2014 Hero Kent Redding
2014 Cat Run 2 Ray Boudreaux
2014 Unspoken Words Mr. Willy
2014 Million Dollar Arm Doug as Greg Alan Williams
2015 Terminator Genisys Detective Harding
2015 Beyond Deceit Richard Hill
2016 Miracles from Heaven Dr. Joe Hester
2017 A Question of Faith Farnsworth Newman
2018 God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness Reverend Roland Dial
2019 I See You Spitzky
2019 Brightburn Chief Deputy Deever
2019 Freshman Year Professor Thompson
2020 The Banker Britton Garrett
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1989–1998 Baywatch Officer Garner Ellerbee 110 episodes
1990–1991 Hunter Officer Peter Hawkins 2 episodes
1991 The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Security Guard Episode: "Young and the Restless"
1991 Roc Albert Episode: "Requiem for a Garbage Man"
1992–1994 Dream On Anchorman 4 episodes
1994 L.A. Law Ellis Cole Episode: "Silence Is Golden"
1995 Living Single Darren Episode: "The Ex-File"
1995 The Parent 'Hood Coach Vanderpool Episode: "Track Dreams"
1995–1997 Baywatch Nights Officer Garner Ellerbee 19 episodes
1996 No One Would Tell Detective Anderson TV movie
1996 Murder, She Wrote Lt. Paul Bragg Episode: "Mrs. Parker's Revenge"
1997 Dying to Belong Carl Ridgeley TV movie
1998 Mama Flora's Family Charlie (1941) TV movie
2000 City of Angels Dr. Nate Ambrose 5 episodes
2000–2001 The Sopranos Reverend James, Jr. 3 episodes
2001–2003 The District Clive Rogers 13 episodes
2004 The Practice District Attorney Episode: "Comings and Goings"
2005 Monk Sorenson Episode: "Mr. Monk and Mrs. Monk"
2006–2009 The Game Dr. James Barnett 4 episodes
2006 Squidbillies Plumber Bubba Episode: "Bubba Trubba"
2007 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Detective Folkner Episode: "Philadelphia"
2009–2013 Drop Dead Diva Judge Warren Libby 15 episodes
2010 Preacher's Kid Bishop King
2010 Past Life Eli Parson 2 episodes
2011 Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 Freedom Cobra Episode: “Freedom Cobra”
2011 Castle Jim Van-Eps Episode: "Lucky Stiff"
2011–2013 Necessary Roughness Coach Purnell Recurring role
2013 Marry Me for Christmas Donald TV movie
2015 Secrets and Lies Kevin Haynes Recurring role; 6 episodes
2015-16 The Inspectors Lawrence Downing Recurring role; 4 episodes
2015-16 Powers Waldo Pilgrim Recurring role; 4 episodes
2016 Game of Silence Aaron Epps Recurring role; 6 episodes
2016 Containment Chief Besser Recurring role; 8 episodes
2016–17 Greenleaf Robert 'Mac' McCready Recurring role
2017 Manhunt: Unabomber Judge Garland Burrell Final episode (8)

2018 Legal Action

2019 Chicago Med Bert Goodwin Recurring role; 9 episodes
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Avatar: The Game Dr. Victor Monroe
2010 Fallout: New Vegas Additional voices

Bibliography
  • A Gathering of Heroes: Reflections on Rage and Responsibility : A Memoir of the Los Angeles Riots. Academy Chicago Publishers. March 1994. ISBN 0-89733-404-3.
  • For Black, Brown, & Beige Baby Girls Born Too Beautiful To Watch The Bay. The Journey Press. 1997. ISBN 1-930629-00-1.
  • Boys To Men: Maps For the Journey. Doubleday. 1997. ISBN 0-385-48687-1.
  • Heart of a Woman. Enaz Publications. November 25, 2009. ISBN 1-59232-229-8.
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References
  1. "Williams, GregAlan". desmoinesregister.com. Archived from the original on 22 January 2013. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  2. "GregAlan Williams". knowyourheritagegameshow.com. Retrieved 2 January 2010.
  3. Totten, Samuel; Pedersen, Jon E. (2009). Samuel Totten, Jon E. Pedersen. IAP. p. 86. ISBN 1-60752-098-2.
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