Tonya Lee Williams

Tonya Lee Williams

Williams at The Canadian Film Centre reception celebrating the Telefilm Canada Features Comedy Lab, March 2011
Born Tonya Maxine Williams
July 12, 1958
London, England
Years active 1980–present
Spouse(s) Robert Simpson (1983–1991)

Tonya Lee Williams (born Tonya Maxine Williams on July 12, 1958) is a Canadian actress. She is known for her role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, from 1990 to 2005 and for a brief time in 2007 and 2008.

Early life

Williams was born in London, England to Jamaican parents. She lived in London and Kingston, Jamaica as a young child. At age five, she contracted rheumatic fever; she and her mother then moved to Birmingham. In 1969, she and her family settled in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. As a teenager, she modeled in Eaton's catalogues and danced on a television series called Boogie! which ran on Citytv. In 1977, Williams was crowned Miss Black Ontario.

Williams was married to Robert Simpson from 1983 to 1991, but has not remarried since.

Career

Williams' television debut was as a host of the Canadian children's show Polka Dot Door, from 1980 to 1983, after graduating from Ryerson University in 1979. Appearances on the television series Check it Out! and Generations followed. Her involvement on Generations snagged her a role on The Young and the Restless, and has become her most lucrative role. Williams won the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2000 and 2002.

Williams also appeared on A Very Brady Christmas as Cindy's roommate.

In March 2004, Williams hosted the special event program Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee, on CBC Television. She is an honorary member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.

Williams is also the founder and president of the ReelWorld Film Festival, an annual film festival in Toronto that features talent from ethnically diverse communities.

Filmography

Film and television appearances

Year Title Role Notes
1980–1983 Polka Dot Door Host
1985Check it Out!Jennifer Woods 22 episodes
1986As IsTV Commentator TV movie
1987What's Happening Now!!Michelle Episode: "The New Employee"
The LiberatorsJenny On Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
Street LegalBelinda / Reporter2 episodes
Gimme a Break!Judy Mitchell Episode: "Parents' Week: Part 1"
Hill Street BluesShirley Episode: "It Ain't Over Till It's Over"
Falcon CrestChase's Secretary / Lois3 episodes
Captain Power and the Soldiers of the FutureChelsea Chandler Episode: "And Study War No More"
1988A Very Brady ChristmasBelinda TV movie
1989–1990GenerationsLinda Dukesunknown episodes
1989MatlockDana Williams Episode: "The Starlet"
Nasty BoysunknownNasty Boys (pilot)
A Peaceable KingdomColleen3 episodes
1990–2005,
2007,
2008–present		The Young and the RestlessDr. Olivia Barber Winters May 1990–September 7, 2005
April 12–13, 2007
October 23, 2008–present – recurring role
1990Spaced Invaders Ernestine
Piece of CakeTanya TV movie
1991The BorrowerDesk Nurse
1993CounterstrikeDenise Episode: "The Contender"
Getting ByJanet Episode: "Shop till You Drop"
1994Silk StalkingsLoretta Cole Episode: "The Last Campaign"
1998PSI Factor: Chronicles of the ParanormalCarole Sanderson Episode: "Bad Dreams"
2000Seventeen AgainMonique Donovan
2004Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee Host TV special
2005A Perfect NoteJasmine TV movie
2007Poor Boy's GameRuth Carvery
Finding Father's ToeCarole Short film
2009–2010The BorderOctavia Jones 5 episodes
2010My Name is Khan News Anchor
2011She's the MayorMaxine Williams 13 episodes[1]
2012CybergeddonDonna Berg 2 episodes

Executive producer

Year Title Notes
2001 Maple TV movie
2004 Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee TV movie
2004 Da Kink in My Hair TV movie

Director

Year Title Notes
2004Da Kink in My Hair TV movie

Writer

Year Title Notes
2004Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee Contributing writer; TV special

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ "She's the Mayor finds laughs in Hamilton". Hamilton Spectator, April 16, 2010.

External links