Grey’s Anatomy star and actvist Jesse Williams has plans to produce and star in a biopic about his fellow civil rights icon and entertainer Harry Belafonte.
Williams announced the project during an appearance on Denzealots, a podcast by comedians W. Kamau Bell and Kevin Avery. During the episode, Williams admitted that he cared more about activism than acting.
—Jesse Williams Shreds ‘All Lives Matter’ Supporters with 1 Instagram Post—
If you’re into social media, you probably already knew that. Williams is highly influential on Twitter, boasting more than one million followers. The young actor’s gained his influence, not with selfies, but with insightful tweets and short commentaries on issues impacting people of color.
He was heavily involved in the Justice for Flint concert which brought together residents, celebrities and performers to raise awareness on the water crisis.
—Jesse Williams Sums up the Outrage to Baltimore’s ‘Riots’ in 1 Tweet—
“I have an awesome job that I love, but there’s this magnetic force that is constantly pulling me toward activism,” Williams said of his passion. “I just have to do it. I’m a father now, I’ve got responsibilities, and there’s only 24 hours in a day.”
He added that he would always like to do more but that his time was constrained, and he was not only a husband and father but was working on three films.
—Harry Belafonte Award Speech Gives Hollywood a Racial History Lesson—
“I’ve got to practice saying no for my own sanity,” he said. “I’m really exhausting myself, to be honest.”
