Kelli Williams

Last updated

Kelli Williams
Born
Kelli Renee Williams

(1970-06-08) June 8, 1970 (age 54)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actress, Director
Years active1989–present
Spouse
Ajay Sahgal
​
​
(m. 1996;div. 2017)​
PartnerLynsey Peisinger (2023–present)
Children3

Kelli Renee Williams [1] (born June 8, 1970 [2] ) is an American actress and director. She is known for her roles as lawyer Lindsay Dole on the ABC legal drama The Practice , psychologist and deception expert Dr. Gillian Foster on the Fox series Lie to Me , Jackie Clarke on the Lifetime series Army Wives , and Margaret Reed on the NBC drama series Found.

Contents

Early life

Kelli Williams was born in Los Angeles, California. [1] She is the daughter of actress Shannon Wilcox and plastic surgeon John Williams. Her parents divorced when she was 13. She has one brother and two half-brothers. [3]

Williams earned her Screen Actors Guild card before her first birthday by appearing in a diapers commercial, and appeared in several other commercials as a child. [4] She attended elementary school at Lycée Français, [3] and graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1988. While attending school, she was active in the performing arts department. After starring opposite Steve Burton (who would go on to gain fame on General Hospital ) in the school's production of Romeo and Juliet, she was signed by an agent. [4]

Career

Williams began her career on television in 1989, with a role in an episode of the CBS series Beauty and the Beast and as the first victim of the Hillside Stranglers in NBC's made-for-TV film The Case of the Hillside Stranglers.

Her first feature film appearances were in Zapped Again! (1990) and There Goes My Baby (1994) opposite ER star Noah Wyle. She also appeared in The Young Riders in 1991. Also in 1994, she played Jennifer Stolpa in the TV movie Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story. She guest starred on the Fox teen drama Party of Five in its first season in 1994 as Annie Alcott. She guest-starred in the 1992 Law & Order episode "Sisters Of Mercy" as a meth addict who accuses a nun of sexually abusing her.

Beginning with episode 11, "Moon Cross" (aired on February 5, 1995), of the science-fiction series Earth 2 , Williams appeared in a multiple episode story arc in the role of Mary, a human orphan raised on another planet by the indigenous alien species known as the Terrians.

In 1997, she took her most prominent role as Lindsay Dole Donnell on the ABC legal drama The Practice . She appeared in the series The Lyon's Den and Hack , as well as two episodes of Scrubs . Williams appeared as Dr. Natalie Durant on the NBC television show Medical Investigation which began in the fall of 2004 and ran for 20 episodes before being canceled. Also in 2004, she starred in the TV movie A Boyfriend for Christmas.

In 2000, Williams starred in the TV movie Flowers for Algernon , based on the novel/short story by Daniel Keyes.

In May 2007, she portrayed Holly Lauren/Kathleen Shaw in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent sixth-season finale episode, "Renewal," as a friendly neighbor of Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth); her character died toward the end of the episode. In August 2008, Williams was cast in a lead role as psychologist Dr. Gillian Foster in the Fox series Lie to Me , opposite Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman, which ran for three seasons and ended in 2011. [5]

In April 2011, she was cast in a guest role as Shelley Chamberlain, a grieving mother on a killing spree [6] in the CBS series Criminal Minds . In October 2011, she was cast in a guest role as a kidnapped child's mother called Elizabeth Flint in the CBS series The Mentalist . In 2012, she landed the recurring role of Jackie Clarke in the Lifetime series Army Wives and was quickly promoted to a series regular. [7]

On August 12, 2015, Ties That Bind , the first original series from the Up Network, debuted with Williams playing police detective Allison McLean. The series balances McLean's work and family. [8]

From 2016 on, she worked primarily as a director on multiple TV shows, including The Fosters, The Resident, All American, and All American: Homecoming .

In 2020, she joined the cast of the new Paramount network series, Coyote , starring Michael Chiklis. [9]

In 2022, she joined the cast of the NBC series, Found. [10]

Personal life

Williams was married to author Ajay Sahgal from 1996 to 2017. She converted to Hinduism after marrying her husband. [11] [12] The couple has three children. [13] Williams speaks French and Spanish, [3] and has volunteered with the Young Storytellers Program. [14]

She has been in a relationship with performance artist, choreographer, and director Lynsey Peisinger since 2023. [15]

Filmography

Director

YearTitleNotes
2004 The Practice "In Good Conscience"
2013 Army Wives "Blood and Treasure"
2016–2017 The Fosters 3 Episodes: "Justify", "Welcome to the Jungler", and "Scars"
2017 Rosewood "Clavicle Trauma & Closure"
2019 Good Trouble "Willful Blindness"
The Resident 2 episodes: "Snowed In" & "Woman Down"
Charmed "The Rules of Engagement"
2020 Sweet Magnolias 2 episodes: "Give Drink to the Thirsty ", "Lay It All Down"
2021–2024 All American 4 episodes: "My Mind's Playing Tricks on Me", "How Come", "Don't Sweat the Technique", "Trust Issues"
2021 The Resident "Into the Unknown"
2022 All American: Homecoming "Under Pressure"
Walker "Champagne Problems"
Big Sky "The Woods Are Lovely, Dark and Deep"

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1990 Zapped Again! Lucy Kaminsky
1993 Mr. Jones Kelli
1994 There Goes My Baby Sunshine
1996E=mc2Claire Higgins
1999KismetKellyShort film
2000It's a Shame About RayAnnaShort film
2010The Space BetweenJunkie
2012 Any Day Now Miss Flemming

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989 Beauty and the Beast Young LisaEpisode: "Arabesque"
1989 The Case of the Hillside Stranglers Margaret Wilson TV movie
1989 Day by Day Ross' Girlfriend3 episodes
1989Out on the EdgeMelissaTV movie
1989 CBS Summer Playhouse NatalieEpisode: "Curse of the Corn People"
1989 Island Son Elisa BordinetEpisode: "Sometimes They're Zebras"
1989 Quantum Leap ShannonEpisode: "Disco Inferno"
1990 Elvis Mattie Walker13 episodes
1990My Life as a BabysitterKellyTV movie
1991 CBS Schoolbreak Special Cassie O'BrianEpisode: "But He Loves Me"
1991 Switched at Birth IrisaTV movie
1991 The Young Riders Emily MetcalfeEpisode: "The Presence of Mine Enemies"
1992 A Woman Scorned: The Betty Broderick Story Kate BroderickTV movie
1992 Law & Order MaggieEpisode: "Sisters of Mercy"
1992 Sisters Sarah NolanEpisode: "Pandora's Box"
1992Her Final Fury: Betty Broderick, the Last ChapterKate BroderickTV movie
1993For Their Own GoodErmaMovie
1993 Lifepod Rena JahnusiaTV movie
1994 Snowbound: The Jim and Jennifer Stolpa Story Jennifer StolpaTV movie
1994 Party of Five Annie AlcottEpisode: "Thanksgiving"
1995 Earth 2 Mary2 episodes
1995 New York News Ellie13 episodes
1996 Voice from the Grave Yvonne ShusterTV movie
1996 Picket Fences Hannah Mary BeilerEpisode: "To Forgive Is Devine"
1996Mary & TimJustine MelvilleTV movie
1997–2003 The Practice Lindsay Dole145 episodes
Nominated: Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama (1999)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1998–2000)
1998 Ally McBeal Lindsay DoleEpisode: "The Inmates"
1999SweetwaterCami CarlsonTV movie
2000 Flowers for Algernon Alice KinianTV movie
2002 Scrubs Kristen Murphy2 episodes
2003 The Lyon's Den Attorney Monica Crane3 episodes
2003 Hack Charlotte WestonEpisode: "My Fare Lady"
2004 A Boyfriend for Christmas Holly GrantHallmark TV movie
2004–05 Medical Investigation Dr. Natalie Durant20 episodes
2005 Third Watch Dr. Natalie DurantEpisode: "In the Family Way"
2006Murder on Pleasant DriveDeanna WhelenTV movie
2007 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Holly Lauren/Kathleen ShawEpisode: "Renewal"
2007–08 Men in Trees Julia Switzer6 episodes
2008The One That Got AwayJoannaTV movie
2009–11 Lie to Me Dr. Gillian Foster48 episodes
2011 Criminal Minds Shelley ChamberlainEpisode: "Hanley Waters"
2011 The Mentalist Beth FlintEpisode: "Pretty Red Balloon"
2012–13 Army Wives Jackie ClarkSeries regular (32 episodes)
2014–15 NCIS Special Agent Maureen CabotEpisodes: "Alleged" and "Viral"
2014 Ties That Bind Allison McLeanSeries regular (10 episodes)
2016 The Fosters Justina Marks6 episodes
2016 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Melanie HarperEpisode: "Making a Rapist"
2017Early ReleaseTaylor ReynoldsTV movie
2017A Song for ChristmasJennifer FlynnTV movie
2021 Coyote Jill KerrTV series
2023–present Found Margaret ReedTV series

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References

  1. 1 2 Beller, Miles (August 1, 1989). "TV Review: 'Curse of the Corn People'". The Hollywood Reporter. pp. 4, 44. ProQuest   2826323311. Other connected with 'Curse of the Corn People' include [...] a college student named Natalie (Kelli Renee Williams), who divides her time between waitressing and serving as a girl 'Friday' to the moviemakers.
  2. ↑ Lavin, Cheryl (October 11, 1998). "KELLI WILLIAMS: [CHICAGOLAND FINAL Edition]". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. ProQuest   418548149. Birthday: June 8, 1970. Birthplace: Los Angeles. Occupation: Actress
  3. 1 2 3 Lee, Luaine (June 16, 2010). "Kelli Williams of 'Lie to Me' has showbiz in her blood". Archived from the original on August 31, 2010. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  4. 1 2 David Martindale. "Kelli Williams Courts Success on "The Practice"". Ultimate TV. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  5. ↑ "Pilot News: Kelli Williams Helps Tim Roth Tell a Lie". TV Guide . August 2008. Archived from the original on August 8, 2008. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
  6. ↑ "Criminal Minds season 6, episode 20: Hanley Waters". tv.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  7. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (February 13, 2012). "Kelli Williams Upped To Series Regular On 'Army Wives'". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 7, 2013.
  8. ↑ Elavsky, Cindy (July 30, 2015). "Celebrity Extra". naples.floridaweekly.com. King Features. Archived from the original on March 11, 2016. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  9. ↑ Butler, Karen (February 7, 2020). "Mark Feuerstein, Kelli Williams join 'Coyote' cast". UPI.com. United Press International.
  10. ↑ Otterson, Joe (May 18, 2022). "NBC Drama Pilot 'Found' Casts Kelli Williams (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Hollywood celebrities who believe in Hinduism | Hindu Celebrities". RespectXP. February 17, 2020. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  12. ↑ Kulkarni, Bhargavi. "A surprising number of American celebrities are practicing Hindus or Buddhists". IndiaAbroad.com. Retrieved April 19, 2021.
  13. ↑ "Motherhood helps Kelli Williams in 'Lie to Me' role". April 12, 2009. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved February 3, 2011.
  14. ↑ "The Young Storytellers Foundation: Actors" . Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
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