VW
Vanessa Williams
Actor, ProducerBorn March 18, 1963 (62 years)
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.
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.
Movies & Shows on Plex
Known For
Vanessa Williams Filmography
| 2024 | Elsbeth (TV Series) · as Roslyn Bridwell |
| 2023 | Tripped Up · as Patricia Chamberlain |
| 2023 | Velma (TV Series) · as Dr. Perdue (voice) |
| 2022 | The Jennifer Hudson Show (TV Series) |
| 2022 | Singleholic · as Jackie Chisolm |
| 2021 | Girls5eva (TV Series) · as Nance Trace |
| 2021 | Kenan (TV Series) · as Tasha |
| 2020 | Bad Hair · as Zora |
| 2020 | |
| 2020 | RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race (TV Series) · as Vanquisha Da House - Contestant |
| 2020 | Calling All T.O.T.S. (TV Series) · as Captain Beakman (voice) |
| 2020 | Twenties (TV Series) · as Angela |
| 2019 | Miss Virginia · as Sally Rae |
| 2019 | First Wives Club (TV Series) · as Nancy |
| 2019 | A Black Lady Sketch Show (TV Series) · as Delilah |
| 2019 | Batman: Hush · as Amanda Waller (voice) |
| 2019 | T.O.T.S. (TV Series) · as Captain Beakman (voice) |
| 2018 | The Legend of Hallowaiian · as Fire Goddess (voice) |
| 2018 | Suicide Squad: Hell to Pay · as Amanda Waller (voice) |
| 2017 | The Man from Earth: Holocene · as Carolyn |
| 2017 | Me, MYSELF & I (TV Series) · as Kelly Frasier |
| 2017 | Daytime Divas (TV Series) · as Maxine Robinson |
| 2016 | Milo Murphy's Law (TV Series) · as Dr. Eileen Underwood |
| 2016 | The Secret She Kept · as Beverly |
| 2015 | Difficult People (TV Series) · as Trish |
| 2014 | The Librarians (2014) (TV Series) · as Cynthia Rockwell |
| 2014 | When Marnie Was There · as Hisako |
| 2014 | The Trip to Bountiful · as Jessie Mae Watts |
| 2014 | Broad City (TV Series) · as Elizabeth Carlton |
| 2013 | Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor · as Janice |
| 2012 | Delhi Safari · as Begum |
| 2012 | 666 Park Avenue (TV Series) · as Olivia Doran |
| 2012 | The Mindy Project (TV Series) · as Dr. Phillips |
| 2012 | Doc McStuffins (TV Series) · as Delilah |
| 2011 | Tim Alexander's A Mother's Love · as Rochelle Richardson |
| 2009 | Modern Family (TV Series) · as Rhonda |
| 2009 | The Good Wife (TV Series) · as Courtney Paige |
| 2009 | Royal Pains (TV Series) · as Olympia Houston |
| 2009 | Hannah Montana: The Movie · as Vita |
| 2008 | The Wendy Williams Show (TV Series) |
| 2007 | Mama Mirabelle's Home Movies (TV Series) · as Mama Mirabelle (voice) |
| 2007 | Phineas and Ferb (TV Series) · as Flight Attendant |
| 2007 | The Beautiful World of Ugly Betty · as Narrator |
| 2007 | Shear Genius (TV Series) |
| 2007 | And Then Came Love · as Julie |
| 2006 | Ugly Betty (TV Series) · as Wilhelmina Slater |
| 2006 | South Beach (TV Series) · as Elizabeth Bauer |
| 2006 | My Brother · as L'tisha Morton |
| 2004 | |
| 2004 | Desperate Housewives (TV Series) · as Renee Perry |
| 2004 | Johnson Family Vacation · as Dorothy Johnson |
| 2003 | |
| 2002 | Boomtown (TV Series) · as Detective Katherine Pierce |
| 2002 | Keep the Faith, Baby · as Hazel Scott |
| 2001 | Santa, Baby! · as Alicia (voice) |
| 2001 | The Proud Family (TV Series) · as Debra (voice) |
| 2001 | WW 3 · as M.j. Blake (as Vanessa L. Williams) |
| 2000 | A Diva's Christmas Carol · as Ebony Scrooge |
| 2000 | Shaft · as Carmen Vasquez |
| 2000 | Don Quixote · as Dulcinea / Aldonza |
| 2000 | The Courage to Love · as Mother Henriette Delille |
| 1999 | Light It Up · as Audrey Mcdonald |
| 1999 | The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland · as Queen Of Trash |
| 1998 | Futuresport · as Alexandra 'alex' Torres |
| 1998 | L. A. Doctors (TV Series) · as Dr. Leanne Barrows |
| 1998 | Dance with Me · as Ruby Sinclair |
| 1998 | LateLine (TV Series) |
| 1997 | Soul Food · as Teri |
| 1997 | Ally McBeal (TV Series) · as Sheila Hunt |
| 1997 | Hoodlum · as Francine Hughes |
| 1997 | The Odyssey (1997) (TV Series) · as Calypso |
| 1996 | Jungle Cubs (TV Series) |
| 1996 | Eraser · as Lee Cullen |
| 1995 | Bye Bye Birdie · as Rose Alvarez |
| 1995 | Nothing Lasts Forever · as Dr. Kathy 'kat' Hunter |
| 1995 | Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child (TV Series) · as Beauty (voice) |
| 1994 | Chicago Hope (TV Series) |
| 1993 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV Series) · as Arandis |
| 1992 | The Jacksons: An American Dream (TV Series) · as Suzanne De Passe |
| 1992 | Stompin' at the Savoy · as Pauline |
| 1991 | Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man · as Lulu Daniels |
| 1991 | Another You · as Gloria |
| 1990 | The Kid Who Loved Christmas · as Lynette Parks |
| 1990 | The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (TV Series) · as Danny Mitchell |
| 1990 | Seriously... Phil Collins · as Rachel - Tv Executive |
| 1990 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Silenced Singer · as Terri Knight |
| 1989 | Full Exposure: The Sex Tapes Scandal · as Valentine Hayward |
| 1988 | American Experience (TV Series) · as Narrator (voice) |
| 1987 | Under the Gun · as Samantha Richards |
| 1987 | The Pick-up Artist · as Rae, Girl With Dog |
| 1986 | The Redd Foxx Show (TV Series) · as Jessica |
| 1984 | Partners in Crime (TV Series) |
| 1982 | T.J. Hooker (TV Series) · as Officer Pat Williamson |
| 1977 | The Love Boat (TV Series) · as Pearl |
| 1976 | Live from Lincoln Center (TV Series) · as Graduates |
| 1965 | Days of our Lives (TV Series) · as Valerie Grant |
| 2024 | The Royal Variety Performance 2024 · as Self - Performer |
| 2024 | The Little Pageant That Could · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2023 | |
| 2023 | Black Pop (TV Series) · as Self - Actress, Singer |
| 2022 | Sherri (2022) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2021 | Queen of the Universe (TV Series) · as Self - Judge |
| 2021 | DJ Cassidy's Pass the Mic: BET Mother's Day Edition · as Self - Performer |
| 2021 | |
| 2021 | Name That Tune (TV Series) · as Self - Contestant |
| 2020 | Ella Wishes You a Swinging Christmas with Vanessa Williams (TV Series) · as Self - Host |
| 2020 | One Night Only: The Best of Broadway · as Self |
| 2020 | The Drew Barrymore Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2020 | Face to Face with David (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | GMA3: What You Need to Know (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | How's Your Head, Hun? (TV Series) · as Self - Special Guest |
| 2020 | Stars In The House (TV Series) · as Self - Special Guest |
| 2019 | The Kelly Clarkson Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2019 | Tamron Hall (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2019 | American Style (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2019 | Milk · as Self |
| 2018 | Making the Five Heartbeats · as Self |
| 2017 | Carpool Karaoke (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2017 | Not Black Enough · as Self |
| 2016 | Match Game (2016) (TV Series) · as Self - Panelist |
| 2016 | The $100,000 Pyramid (2016) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2015 | Daily Blast Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2014 | Someone You Love: The HPV Epidemic · as Self - Narrator |
| 2013 | The Queen Latifah Show (2013) (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2013 | The Real Daytime (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2013 | He's Way More Famous Than You · as Vanessa Williams |
| 2013 | The Broadway.Com Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | The Haunting Of (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Judge |
| 2012 | Larry King Now (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | Bethenny (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | 43rd NAACP Image Awards · as Self |
| 2012 | CBS Mornings (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | Project Runway All Stars (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Judge |
| 2011 | Kitchen Cousins (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | The Chew (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | The Jonathan Ross Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | Dish Nation (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | 42nd NAACP Image Awards · as Self |
| 2011 | Piers Morgan Tonight (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2011 | The 37th Annual People's Choice Awards · as Self |
| 2011 | Oprah Presents Master Class (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest Co-Host |
| 2010 | The A-List: New York (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | Who Do You Think You Are? (US) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Dreams Come True: A Celebration of Disney Animation · as Self - Hostess |
| 2009 | Talk Stoop (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Lopez Tonight (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Let's Make a Deal (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | The 61st Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2009 | The Dr. Oz Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | The 36th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards · as Self - Host |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | RuPaul's Drag Race (TV Series) · as Self - Judge (archive Footage) |
| 2008 | The 60th Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2008 | TV Guide Live at the Emmy Awards · as Self |
| 2008 | |
| 2008 | 39th NAACP Image Awards · as Self |
| 2007 | The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts · as Self - Perfomer |
| 2007 | The 61st Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2007 | Xposé (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | 38th NAACP Image Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2007 | The Graham Norton Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | 13th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2007 | The Morning Show with Mike & Juliet (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | The 64th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2007 | The 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards · as Self |
| 2007 | The 59th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2006 | Rachael Ray (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | The ONE Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2006 | John Edward Cross Country (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Kennedy Center Honors: A Celebration of the Performing Arts · as Self - Performer |
| 2005 | The Reichen Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Tyra Banks Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2005 | Entertainment Tonight Canada (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | Black in the 80s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | Gospel Superfest · as Self - Hostess |
| 2004 | Retrosexual: The '80s (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | The Tony Danza Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | Strictly Come Dancing (TV Series) · as Self - Advisor To Alex Kingston For Miranda Priestly Role |
| 2004 | What's the Name of That Song · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 2004 | 35th NAACP Image Awards · as Self |
| 2004 | On Air With Ryan Seacrest (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2004 | Tavis Smiley (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | Dorothy Dandridge: An American Beauty · as Self |
| 2003 | A Century of Black Cinema · as Self |
| 2003 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards '03 · as Self |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | The Bachelorette (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | |
| 2002 | The 56th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Nominee & Performer |
| 2002 | Fashion Police (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2002 | It's Black Entertainment · as Self - Host |
| 2001 | The Making of 'Jimmy Neutron' · as Self |
| 2001 | Good Day Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2001 | Saturday Kitchen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2000 | 2000 Blockbuster Entertainment Awards · as Self |
| 2000 | The 72nd Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1999 | Loose Women (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1999 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (US) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1998 | The 40th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self |
| 1998 | 29th NAACP Image Awards · as Self - Co-Host |
| 1997 | The View (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | Access Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | |
| 1996 | The Rosie O'Donnell Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1996 | 1996 MTV Movie Awards · as Self |
| 1996 | E! True Hollywood Story (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The 68th Annual Academy Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 1996 | The 38th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self |
| 1996 | Super Bowl XXX · as Self - National Anthem Performer |
| 1995 | MADtv (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1995 | E! Live from the Red Carpet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | WGN Morning News (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | Extra (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | The Howard Stern Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1994 | The 48th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1994 | Sidewalks Entertainment (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1993 | Late Night with Conan O'Brien (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | 1992 MTV Video Music Awards · as Self |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | |
| 1992 | The 6th Annual Soul Train Music Awards · as Self - Co-Host |
| 1992 | The 34th Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1991 | Charlie Rose (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1991 | Maury (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1991 | The 5th Annual Soul Train Music Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1991 | The 33rd Annual Grammy Awards · as Self |
| 1990 | Christmas In Rockefeller Center (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1990 | Intimate Portrait (TV Series) · as Self (archive Footage) |
| 1990 | 22nd NAACP Image Awards · as Self |
| 1989 | National Memorial Day Concert (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1989 | The 16th Annual American Music Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1989 | The Arsenio Hall Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1989 | The 10th Annual Black Achievement Awards · as Self |
| 1988 | Inside Edition (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | Family Feud (1988) (TV Series) · as Self - Celebrity Contestant |
| 1988 | LIVE with Kelly and Mark (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1988 | Later with Bob Costas (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1987 | Showtime at the Apollo (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1987 | The 1st Annual Soul Train Music Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 1986 | The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1985 | Larry King Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1985 | Motown Returns to the Apollo · as Self |
| 1984 | Super Password (TV Series) · as Self - Celebrity Contestant |
| 1984 | BBC News at Six (TV Series) · as Self - Miranda Priestly |
| 1982 | Wogan (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1982 | Late Night With David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | A Capitol Fourth (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1980 | America's Top 10 (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1979 | CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Saturday Night Live (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1971 | Soul Train (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1971 | Great Performances (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1969 | Sesame Street (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1966 | The Jerry Lewis MDA Labor Day Telethon (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1964 | Top of the Pops (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 1962 | The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1956 | Tony Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |
| 1953 | The Academy Awards (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2023 | |
| 2007 | And Then Came Love · as Executive Producer |
| 2000 | The Courage to Love · as Executive Producer |