J. D. Williams
Encyclopedia
Darnell "J.D." Williams (born May 22, 1978 in Newark, New Jersey
) is an American actor with starring roles in the HBO
television programs Oz
and The Wire
, in which he appeared as Preston "Bodie" Broadus. He has also appeared in Homicide: Life on the Street
, a show based on a book by The Wire creator David Simon, where he guest starred as Casper in the episode "The Why Chromosome". He played inmate Kenny Wangler
in the first four seasons of Oz. He had a small guest starring role in The Sopranos
episode "46 Long
" as Special K, an incompetent stickup man
and one of Brendan Filone
's goons. He appeared in the pilot episode ("Welcome to Camelot") of Third Watch
as Pee-Wee, an errant street kid.
Williams has also had leading roles or cameo appearances in a number of R&B and hip-hop music video
s. He has appeared as himself, a love interest, and characters resembling his role as a drug dealer on The Wire
.
, a performing arts public school in Newark, NJ. He portrayed a biracial 15-year-old dealing with racism and his father's infidelity in the play A.M. Sunday in late 2003 at Baltimore's CENTERSTAGE theater. He walked around Baltimore
's inner city during the middle of the night a few days before "The Wire"'s first taping in order to get a feel for Baltimore; he is older than his character on The Wire
by 8 years. He is a self proclaimed "Video Star", as a result of cameos and leading roles he had in R&B and Hip-Hop music videos between 2002 and 2005.
According to his HBO bio, he is credited with appearing in the film "Graffiti Bridge
", but a 2003 interview with AllHipHop.com revealed that Williams was not in the movie. Tevin Campbell
filled the cameo role with which Williams is credited.
Williams has been in print ads for defunct clothing lines Live by Karl Kani and Def Jam University clothing. Both lines were spin-offs from Karl Kani clothing and Phat Farm
, respectively. He has starred in commercials promoting Hershey's
chocolate, Pizza Hut
, Fedex
, the Maryland Lottery
, Doritos
and most recently, as a delivery boy for FedEx
.
Newark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
) is an American actor with starring roles in the HBO
Home Box Office
HBO, short for Home Box Office, is an American premium cable television network, owned by Time Warner. , HBO's programming reaches 28.2 million subscribers in the United States, making it the second largest premium network in America . In addition to its U.S...
television programs Oz
Oz (TV series)
Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
and The Wire
The Wire (TV series)
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
, in which he appeared as Preston "Bodie" Broadus. He has also appeared in Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street
Homicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
, a show based on a book by The Wire creator David Simon, where he guest starred as Casper in the episode "The Why Chromosome". He played inmate Kenny Wangler
Kenny Wangler
Kenny "Bricks" Wangler is a fictional character in the HBO drama Oz, played by actor J.D. Williams.-Character overview:Prisoner #97W566. Convicted July 6, 1997 - murder in the first degree . Sentence: 20 years, eligible for parole in six.He was sent to prison for murdering a student he was...
in the first four seasons of Oz. He had a small guest starring role in The Sopranos
The Sopranos
The Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
episode "46 Long
46 Long (The Sopranos episode)
"46 Long" is the second episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos. It was written by David Chase, directed by Dan Attias and was originally broadcast on Sunday January 17, 1999, in the USA.-Starring:* James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano...
" as Special K, an incompetent stickup man
Theft
In common usage, theft is the illegal taking of another person's property without that person's permission or consent. The word is also used as an informal shorthand term for some crimes against property, such as burglary, embezzlement, larceny, looting, robbery, shoplifting and fraud...
and one of Brendan Filone
Brendan Filone
Brendan Filone, played by Anthony DeSando, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos.-Background:On The Sopranos, Brendan Filone was Christopher Moltisanti's friend and partner in crime and an associate of Tony Soprano. Brendan was addicted to crystal meth, and often used it with...
's goons. He appeared in the pilot episode ("Welcome to Camelot") of Third Watch
Third Watch
Third Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
as Pee-Wee, an errant street kid.
Williams has also had leading roles or cameo appearances in a number of R&B and hip-hop music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
s. He has appeared as himself, a love interest, and characters resembling his role as a drug dealer on The Wire
The Wire (TV series)
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
.
Selected filmography
- The Good Wife (2010-2011) (TV series) ....Gas station cashier/Dexter Roja
- Happy New Year (2010) ....Jerome
- Detroit 1-8-7Detroit 1-8-7Detroit 1-8-7 is an American crime drama series about Detroit's leading homicide unit, created by Jason Richman for ABC. It features an ensemble cast of actors including Michael Imperioli and James McDaniel...
(2010-2011)(TV series)....Pup Clemons/Quintin - Code Blue (2010) ....Wicked
- Falling Awake (2009) ......D Money
- Cash Rules.......spike
- 4 Life (2007)
- The Kill PointThe Kill PointThe Kill Point is a television series that follows a group of U.S. Marines recently returned from serving in Iraq as they come together to pull off a major bank heist of a Three Rivers Bank branch in Pittsburgh. The series, produced by Mandeville Films and Lionsgate Television, is the first drama...
(2007), (TV series) - Shanghai Hotel (2006) ....Thump
- The WireThe Wire (TV series)The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
(2002) TV Series .... Bodie BroadusBodie BroadusPreston "Bodie" Broadus is a fictional character on the HBO drama The Wire, played by actor J. D. Williams. Bodie is initially a Barksdale organization drug dealer in "The Pit" who slowly rises through the ranks...
(2002–2006) - The WarriorsThe Warriors (video game)The Warriors is a beat 'em up video game published by Rockstar Games. It was released on October 17, 2005 for PlayStation 2 and Xbox, and February 12, 2007 for PlayStation Portable. The game is based on the 1979 film, The Warriors...
(2005) (VG) (voice) .... Additional Voices - Two Guns (2005) (V) .... Bill
- Mr. Smith Gets a Hustler (2003) .... Abe
- Durdy Game (2002) (V) .... Little Man
- Snipes (2001) .... J.D.
- Popcorn ShrimpPopcorn ShrimpPopcorn Shrimp is a 2001 short five minute film directed by American actor, Christopher Walken.-Cast:*David Bailey*Laurel Holloman – Cop #1*Ralph Macchio – Cop # 2*Malachy McCourt – Doorman*Master P – Crip*J.D. Williams – Bubba...
(2001) .... Bubba - Pootie TangPootie TangPootie Tang is an American comedy film written and directed by Louis C.K. and released in 2001. It was adapted from a comedy sketch that first appeared on The Chris Rock Show. The character Pootie Tang is a satire of the stereotyped characters who appeared in old blaxploitation films...
(2001) .... Froggy - 100 Centre Street100 Centre Street100 Centre Street is an American legal drama created by Sidney Lumet and starring Alan Arkin.-Premise:The show takes its name for the street address of the criminal division of the New York Supreme Court for New York County. The show aired in the United States on the A&E Network cable television...
(2001) TV Episodes (2) .... William Floyd - Big AppleBig Apple"The Big Apple" is a nickname for New York City. It was first popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald, a sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph...
"A Ministering Angel" (2001) TV Episode .... Derrick - OzOz (TV series)Oz is an American television drama series created by Tom Fontana, who also wrote or co-wrote all of the series' 56 episodes . It was the first one-hour dramatic television series to be produced by premium cable network HBO. Oz premiered on July 12, 1997 and ran for six seasons...
(1997) TV Series .... Kenny WanglerKenny WanglerKenny "Bricks" Wangler is a fictional character in the HBO drama Oz, played by actor J.D. Williams.-Character overview:Prisoner #97W566. Convicted July 6, 1997 - murder in the first degree . Sentence: 20 years, eligible for parole in six.He was sent to prison for murdering a student he was...
(1997–2000) - Sex and the CitySex and the CitySex and the City is an American television comedy-drama series created by Darren Star and produced by HBO. Broadcast from 1998 until 2004, the original run of the show had a total of ninety-four episodes...
(2000) TV Episode .... Sweet Sauce - Third WatchThird WatchThird Watch is an American television drama series which first aired on NBC from 1999 to 2005 for a total of 132 episodes, broadcast in 6 seasons of 22 episodes each....
"Welcome to Camelot" (1999) TV Episode (as J.D.) .... Pee Wee - Homicide: Life on the StreetHomicide: Life on the StreetHomicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
"The Why Chromosome" (1999) TV Episode .... Casper - TrinityTrinity (TV series)Trinity is a British drama series which was broadcast on ITV2 from September to November 2009. The series is set in the fictional "Trinity College" of "Bridgeford University", and stars Charles Dance, Claire Skinner, Antonia Bernath, Christian Cooke, Reggie Yates and Isabella Calthorpe.-Plot...
"Breaking In, Breaking Out, Breaking Up, Breaking Down" (1999) TV Episode .... Malik - The SopranosThe SopranosThe Sopranos is an American television drama series created by David Chase that revolves around the New Jersey-based Italian-American mobster Tony Soprano and the difficulties he faces as he tries to balance the often conflicting requirements of his home life and the criminal organization he heads...
"46 Long" (1999) TV Episode .... Special K - Law & OrderLaw & OrderLaw & Order is an American police procedural and legal drama television series, created by Dick Wolf and part of the Law & Order franchise. It aired on NBC, and in syndication on various cable networks. Law & Order premiered on September 13, 1990, and completed its 20th and final season on May 24,...
"Castoff" (1998) TV Episode .... Second Kid - New York UndercoverNew York UndercoverNew York Undercover is an American police drama that aired on the FOX television network from 1994 to 1998. The series starred Malik Yoba as Detective J.C. Williams and Michael DeLorenzo as Detective Eddie Torres, two undercover detectives in New York City's 4th Precinct who were assigned to...
"Fade Out" (1997) TV Episode .... Victor
Television host
- Black Entertainment TelevisionBlack Entertainment TelevisionBlack Entertainment Television is an American, Viacom-owned cable network based in Washington, D.C.. Currently viewed in more than 90 million homes worldwide, it is the most prominent television network targeting young Black-American audiences. The network was launched on January 25, 1980, by its...
's Rap City, week of December 12, 2006 special guest host (3 episodes).
Music video appearances
- AaliyahAaliyahAaliyah Dana Haughton , who performed under the mononym Aaliyah , was an American R&B recording artist, actress and model. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and was raised in Detroit, Michigan. At the age of 10, she appeared on the television show Star Search and performed in concert alongside...
, 2002 "I Miss You". - FreewayFreeway (rapper)Leslie Edward Pridgen , better known by his stage name Freeway, is an American rapper. Best known for his tenure on Roc-A-Fella Records and his affiliation with Jay-Z and Beanie Sigel, he is recognized by his high-pitched delivery and for the long beard he keeps due to his Muslim faith...
, 2002 "What We Do", - Mariah CareyMariah CareyMariah Carey is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and actress. She made her recording debut with the release of her eponymous studio album in 1990, under the guidance of Columbia Records executive Tommy Mottola, whom she later married in 1993...
, 2002 "Through The Rain", - LumideeLumideeLumidee Cedeño is an American singer-songwriter and rapper. Cedeño was born in Spanish Harlem where she was raised by her grandparents...
, 2003 "Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)-Official versions:# "Never Leave You " [Original Mix] - 3:06# "Never Leave You " / [Main] - 3:33# "Never Leave You " [Anthony Acid & DJ Skribble Remix ] - 3:44-Personnel:...
", - Cam'RonCam'ronCameron Giles , better known by his stage name Cam'ron or "Killa Cam", is a Grammy-nominated American actor. He is the founder of the hip-hop group The Diplomats , and also of The U.N. group....
, 2004 "Lord You Know", - FabolousFabolousJohn David Jackson , better known by his stage name Fabolous, is an American rapper of African American and Dominican descent. He grew up in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Part of his early popularity arose from his hit single "Can't Deny It" in 2001, from his debut...
, 2004 "Breathe", - Tupac ShakurTupac ShakurTupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
, 2005 "Ghetto Gospel", - Mario, 2005 "How Could YouHow Could You"How Could You " is a R&B single by Mario. It is the second single from his second studio album Turning Point. The single was released on March, 2005.The single debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 93. How Could You also debuted in Australia Singles Top 50 at number 43. The song was produced...
", - ProdigyProdigy (rapper)Lance Albert Johnson Banks, better known as Prodigy, is an American rapper and one half of the hip-hop and rap duo Mobb Deep....
, 2007 "Stuck On You",
Miscellaneous
Williams attended Newark Arts High SchoolNewark Arts High School
Newark Arts High School is a four-year magnet public high school, serving students in grades 9 through 12 in Newark, New Jersey, United States, operating as part of the Newark Public Schools. In 2010, the 6th graders of William Brown Academy is housed there as its venue is currently being built...
, a performing arts public school in Newark, NJ. He portrayed a biracial 15-year-old dealing with racism and his father's infidelity in the play A.M. Sunday in late 2003 at Baltimore's CENTERSTAGE theater. He walked around Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
's inner city during the middle of the night a few days before "The Wire"'s first taping in order to get a feel for Baltimore; he is older than his character on The Wire
The Wire (TV series)
The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in and around Baltimore, Maryland. Created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States...
by 8 years. He is a self proclaimed "Video Star", as a result of cameos and leading roles he had in R&B and Hip-Hop music videos between 2002 and 2005.
According to his HBO bio, he is credited with appearing in the film "Graffiti Bridge
Graffiti Bridge (film)
Graffiti Bridge is a 1990 drama/musical written, directed, and starring Prince. It is a sequel to his first film, Purple Rain, though notorious for its relatively low quality and poor performance at the box-office...
", but a 2003 interview with AllHipHop.com revealed that Williams was not in the movie. Tevin Campbell
Tevin Campbell
Tevin Jermod Campbell is an American R&B singer-songwriter and actor. He scored a string of R&B chart hits as a teenager in the early to mid-1990s.-Music career:...
filled the cameo role with which Williams is credited.
Williams has been in print ads for defunct clothing lines Live by Karl Kani and Def Jam University clothing. Both lines were spin-offs from Karl Kani clothing and Phat Farm
Phat Farm
Phat Farm is a national fashion line created by the vision of Russell Simmons, the founder of the modern day hip-hop movement, Phat Farm, a division of Phat Fashions , is symbol of men's contemporary American culture, mixing the urban aesthetics of the streets and the preppy culture of the Ivy...
, respectively. He has starred in commercials promoting Hershey's
The Hershey Company
The Hershey Company, known until April 2005 as the Hershey Foods Corporation and commonly called Hershey's, is the largest chocolate manufacturer in North America. Its headquarters are in Hershey, Pennsylvania, which is also home to Hershey's Chocolate World. It was founded by Milton S...
chocolate, Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
, Fedex
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
, the Maryland Lottery
Maryland Lottery
The Maryland Lottery is an independent agency of the Maryland government. Its games include Mega Millions, Powerball, Multi-Match, Keno, Bonus Match 5, and numerous scratch tickets. The Maryland Lottery is headquartered in Suite 330 at 1800 Washington Boulevard, in Montgomery Business Park,...
, Doritos
Doritos
Doritos is a brand of seasoned tortilla chips created by Arch West and produced since 1964 by the American food company Frito-Lay ....
and most recently, as a delivery boy for FedEx
FedEx
FedEx Corporation , originally known as FDX Corporation, is a logistics services company, based in the United States with headquarters in Memphis, Tennessee...
.
External links
- A.M. Sunday play from the CENTERSTAGE theatre in Baltimore, MD
- http://www.amazon.com/dp/0743552164Rapper 50 Cent50 CentCurtis James Jackson III , better known by his stage name 50 Cent, is an American rapper, entrepreneur, investor, record producer, and actor. He rose to fame with the release of his albums Get Rich or Die Tryin and The Massacre . Get Rich or Die Tryin has been certified eight times platinum by...
's audio book featuring J.D. as narrator]