Gregory Alan Williams


Gregory Alan Williams is an American actor and author. He is 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 .

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, Old School, Be Cool, Dog Days of Summer, Oliver Stone's biopic W., The Collector, and MacGruber. Williams also serves as the host of the syndicated series Know Your Heritage and Know Your Heritage: Black College Quiz.

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.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989-1998BaywatchOfficer Garner Ellerbee110 episodes
1990-1991HunterOfficer Peter Hawkins2 episodes
1991The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirSecurity GuardEpisode: "Young and the Restless"
1991RocAlbertEpisode: "Requiem for a Garbage Man"
1992-1994Dream OnAnchorman4 episodes
1994L.A. LawEllis ColeEpisode: "Silence Is Golden"
1995Living SingleDarrenEpisode: "The Ex-File"
1995The Parent 'HoodCoach VanderpoolEpisode: "Track Dreams"
1995-1997Baywatch NightsOfficer Garner Ellerbee19 episodes
1996No One Would TellDetective AndersonTV movie
1996Murder, She WroteLt. Paul BraggEpisode: "Mrs. Parker's Revenge"
1997Dying to BelongCarl RidgeleyTV movie
1998Mama Flora's FamilyCharlie TV movie
2000City of AngelsDr. Nate Ambrose5 episodes
2000-2001The SopranosReverend James, Jr.3 episodes
2001-2003The DistrictClive Rogers13 episodes
2004The PracticeDistrict AttorneyEpisode: "Comings and Goings"
2005MonkSorensonEpisode: "Mr. Monk and Mrs. Monk"
2006-2009The GameDr. James Barnett4 episodes
2006SquidbilliesPlumber BubbaEpisode: "Bubba Trubba"
2007'Detective FolknerEpisode: "Philadelphia"
2009-2013Drop Dead DivaJudge Warren Libby15 episodes
2010Preacher's KidBishop King
2010Past LifeEli Parson2 episodes
2011Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1Freedom CobraEpisode: “Freedom Cobra”
2011CastleJim Van-EpsEpisode: "Lucky Stiff"
2011-2013Necessary RoughnessCoach PurnellRecurring role
2013Marry Me for ChristmasDonaldTV movie
2015Secrets and LiesKevin HaynesRecurring role; 6 episodes
2015-16The InspectorsLawrence DowningRecurring role; 4 episodes
2015-16PowersWaldo PilgrimRecurring role; 4 episodes
2016Game of SilenceAaron EppsRecurring role; 6 episodes
2016ContainmentChief BesserRecurring role; 8 episodes
2016-17GreenleafRobert 'Mac' McCreadyRecurring role
2017'Judge Garland BurrellFinal episode
2018 Legal Action
2019Chicago MedBert GoodwinRecurring role; 9 episodes

YearTitleRoleNotes
2009'Dr. Victor Monroe
2010'Additional voices