Michelle Williams

Actress

Michelle Williams is an American actress celebrated for her nuanced performances in both independent and mainstream cinema. Born Michelle Ingrid Williams on September 9, 1980, in Kalispell, Montana, she was raised in a family with Norwegian roots. Her father, Larry R. Williams, is an author and commodities trader who twice ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate as a Republican Party nominee. Williams has described her family as "not terribly closely knit," but she shared a close bond with her father, who encouraged her to become a keen reader. At the age of nine, the family moved to San Diego, California, where Williams navigated the challenges of preteen years, often keeping to herself and being self-reliant. Williams began her acting career in television, gaining recognition for her role as Jen Lindley on the teen drama Dawson's Creek (1998–2003). Her performance on the show was pivotal in her career development, with co-star Mary Beth Peil serving as a mentor and introducing her to the world of New York theater. Williams praised Peil for encouraging her to envision a future in acting beyond the show. Transitioning to film, Williams garnered critical acclaim for her role in Brokeback Mountain (2005), earning her first Academy Award nomination. She continued to showcase her range in films such as Wendy and Lucy (2008), Blue Valentine (2010), and Manchester by the Sea (2016). Her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in My Week with Marilyn (2011) earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. She also received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Television Movie for her role as Gwen Verdon in the miniseries Fosse/Verdon (2019). In addition to her film and television work, Williams has made notable appearances on Broadway, starring in revivals of the musical Cabaret in 2014 and the drama Blackbird in 2016, for which she received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actress in a Play. Williams has been an advocate for equal pay in the workplace. In 2018, during reshoots for All the Money in the World, it was revealed that co-star Mark Wahlberg earned $1.5 million while Williams received less than $1,000, sparking an outcry over gender pay disparity. Williams utilized this incident to deliver an address at the United States Capitol urging passage of the Paycheck Fairness Act. On a personal note, Williams has been married twice. She has a daughter from her relationship with actor Heath Ledger. In 2020, she married theater director Thomas Kail, with whom she has three children. Their third child was welcomed via surrogacy in 2025.