Quick Facts
Biography
Melissa L. Williams is an American actress and model, known for playing Denise and Ruth Truesdale in the BET prime time soap opera The Oval and its spinoff Ruthless.
Life and career
Williams was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. She is the oldest of six children. Williams moved to Atlanta and attended Clark Atlanta University. She began her career appearing in several musicals at the local theater before moving to Los Angeles. On television, she guest starred on The Game, If Loving You Is Wrong and Rosewood. She received Indie Series Awards nomination for her performance in Poz Roz.
In 2019, Tyler Perry cast Williams in a dual role as twin sisters in his BET prime time soap opera The Oval. She later went to star in its spinoff Ruthless for streaming service BET+.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | All the King's Horses | Officer Jane | Short film |
| 2015 | The Game | Jasmine | Episode: "Get Up, Stand Up" |
| 2016 | If Loving You Is Wrong | Grace | Episodes: "An Evil Alliance" and "For Pete" |
| 2017 | Rosewood | Woman | Episode: "Mummies & Meltdowns |
| 2017 | The First Stone | Reigh | Short film |
| 2017 | Escape Artist | Beatrice Evans | |
| 2017 | Hand of God | Nurse | Episode: "Not Writing a Love Letter" |
| 2018 | Me, Myself and I | Beyonce Impersonator | Episode: "The Breakup" |
| 2019 | Hello Cupid 3.0 | Zaya | 8 episodes |
| 2019 | Poz Roz | Amber | 8 episodes Nominated — Indie Series Award for Best Supporting Actress - Drama |
| 2019–present | The Oval | Denise Truesdale / Ruth Hartman | Recurring role |
| 2020–present | Ruthless | Ruth Truesdale | Series regular |
| 2021 | Dutch | Nina |
