Tonya Williams
Tonya Williams | |
---|---|
Born | Tonya Maxine Williams July 12, 1958 |
Nationality | British, Canadian, American |
Other names | Tonya Lee Williams |
Alma mater | Ryerson University |
Occupation(s) | Actress, producer, director, activist |
Years active | 1977–present |
Spouse |
Robert Simpson
(m. 1983; div. 1991) |
Tonya Williams (born July 12, 1958) is a Canadian actress, producer, and activist. Sometimes credited as Tonya Lee Williams, she is best known for her role as Dr. Olivia Barber Winters on the American daytime drama The Young and the Restless from 1990 to 2005 and 2007 to 2012. She is the founder and executive director of Reelworld Film Festival.
Early life
Williams was born in London, England to
Williams was married to Robert Simpson from 1983 to 1991, but she has never remarried.
Career
Williams' television debut was as a host of the Canadian children's show
Williams 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 a member of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority.
Williams is the founder, executive and artistic director of the
Filmography
Film and television appearances
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1980–1983 | Polka Dot Door | Host | |
1984 | Seeing Things | Episode: "Second Sight" | |
1985 | Check it Out! | Jennifer Woods | 22 episodes |
1986 | As Is | TV Commentator | TV movie |
1987 | What's Happening Now!! | Michelle | Episode: "The New Employee" |
The Liberators | Jenny | On Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color
| |
Street Legal | Belinda / Reporter | 2 episodes | |
Gimme a Break! | Judy Mitchell | Episode: "Parents' Week: Part 1" | |
Hill Street Blues | Shirley | Episode: "It Ain't Over Till It's Over" | |
Falcon Crest | Chase's Secretary / Lois | 3 episodes | |
Captain Power and the Soldiers of the Future | Chelsea Chandler | Episode: "And Study War No More" | |
1988 | A Very Brady Christmas | Belinda | TV movie |
1989–1990 | Generations |
Linda Dukes | unknown episodes |
1989 | Matlock | Dana Williams | Episode: "The Starlet" |
Nasty Boys | unknown | Nasty Boys (pilot) | |
A Peaceable Kingdom |
Colleen | 3 episodes | |
1990–2005, 2007–2012 | The Young and the Restless | Olivia Winters | May 1990–September 7, 2005 April 12–13, 2007 October 23, 2008–February 15, 2012 |
1990 | Spaced Invaders | Ernestine | |
Piece of Cake | Tanya | TV movie | |
1991 | The Borrower | Desk Nurse | |
1993 | Counterstrike | Denise | Episode: "The Contender" |
Getting By | Janet | Episode: "Shop till You Drop" | |
1994 | Silk Stalkings | Loretta Cole | Episode: "The Last Campaign" |
1998 | PSI Factor: Chronicles of the Paranormal |
Carole Sanderson | Episode: "Bad Dreams" |
2000 | Seventeen Again | Monique Donovan | |
2004 | Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee | Host | TV special |
2005 | A Perfect Note | Jasmine | TV movie |
2007 | Poor Boy's Game | Ruth Carvery | |
Finding Father's Toe | Carole | Short film | |
2009–2010 | The Border |
Octavia Jones | 5 episodes |
2010 | My Name is Khan |
News Anchor | |
2011 | She's the Mayor | Maxine Williams | 13 episodes[3] |
The Bold and the Beautiful | Olivia Winters | Guest: 2 episodes (February 1-2, 2011) | |
2012 | Cybergeddon | Donna 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 |
---|---|---|
2004 | Da Kink in My Hair | TV movie |
Writer
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2004 | Tonya Lee Williams: Gospel Jubilee | Contributing writer; TV special |
Awards and nominations
- 1996: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Nomination
- 1996: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 1997: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 1998: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 1999: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2000: Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Nomination
- 2000: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Win
- 2001: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2002: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Win
- 2003: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2004: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2005: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2005: ACTRA National Award of Excellence
- 2006: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2009: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2010: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2011: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2012: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series – Nomination
- 2012: Martin Luther King Jr. Achievement Award for her film and television artistic contributions.
- 2012: Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Award Winner[4]
- 2024: Changemaker Award, 12th Canadian Screen Awards - Winner[2]
References
- ^ Byron Armstrong, "Tonya Williams Marks 19 Years Celebrating Black Stories On Screen At ReelWorld Film Festival". ByBlacks, October 10, 2019.
- ^ a b Connie Thiessen, "Marilyn Denis, John Brunton among Canadian Academy ‘Special Award’ recipients". Broadcast Dialogue, March 19, 2024.
- Hamilton Spectator, April 16, 2010.
- ^ "Canada's Top 25 Immigrants 2012". Canadian Immigrant. Retrieved 2021-06-18.