Williams was born and raised in Brunswick, Georgia, United States.
Williams made his television debut in 1980 on Saturday Night Live, appearing in the chorus of The Pirates of Penzance when the cast of that Broadway show was the episode's musical guest.
Then Williams appeared in films such as: Second Sight, Def by Temptation and Basketball Dreams.
In 1991, he made his first television appearance (since SNL in 1980), on an episode of Law & Order, as Ray Bell, then he appeared in numerous films: Hangin' with the Homeboys and Strictly Business, opposite Halle Berry, Anne-Marie Johnson, Tommy Davidson, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Williams appeared in numerous sitcoms including: Hangin' with Mr. Cooper, Step by Step, Martin, The Jamie Foxx Show, Seinfeld, The Wayans Bros., Any Day Now and Malcolm in the Middle.