If you’ve spent any time watching Abbott Elementary or grew up with Everybody Hates Chris, you probably feel like you know Tyler James Williams. He has that "relatable everyman" energy down to a science. But honestly, the most interesting thing about him might actually be the man who raised him. Le'Roy Williams, Tyler James Williams father, isn't some Hollywood stage dad or a corporate executive. He spent two decades as an NYPD sergeant.
Think about that for a second.
While Tyler was becoming the youngest person to ever win a Breakthrough Actor award, his dad was navigating the streets of New York. It's a wild contrast. You’ve got the glitz of the Golden Globes on one side and the grit of a 20-year career in law enforcement on the other. But here’s where it gets even more surreal: Le'Roy Williams wasn't just a cop. He was also a professional musician who sang backup for legends like Luther Vandross and Patti LaBelle.
The Dual Life of Le'Roy Williams
Most people assume that if you have three sons who all became successful child actors, the parents must have been "momagers" or "dadagers" from day one. That wasn't the case here. Le'Roy Williams is basically the definition of a multi-hyphenate before that was even a trendy buzzword.
He balanced the discipline of the New York Police Department with a deep, soulful connection to the arts. Imagine finishing a shift as a sergeant in one of the toughest cities in the world and then stepping into a studio to lay down vocals for Nona Hendryx. That’s the environment Tyler, Tyrel, and Tylen grew up in.
It explains a lot about Tyler’s work ethic.
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He’s mentioned in several interviews, including a pretty famous sit-down on The Jennifer Hudson Show, how his parents' musical background shaped their household. They didn't just "let" their kids act. They understood the industry. But more importantly, because of Le'Roy’s police background, they understood discipline.
Why the NYPD Connection Matters
You can see the influence of a police sergeant father in how Tyler carries himself. There’s a specific kind of "no-nonsense" maturity he’s had since he was twelve years old. In the industry, child stars often go off the rails. Tyler didn't.
Why?
Maybe because his dad was literally a sergeant. Growing up in Yonkers with a father who seen the absolute worst of society during his shifts tends to keep a kid grounded. Le'Roy eventually retired from the force and transitioned into teaching, further cementing that "authority figure with a heart" persona.
The "TJ" Legacy
One of the funniest things about the Williams family—and something that definitely feels like a "dad" decision—is the naming convention. All three sons have the initials T.J.W. * Tyler James Williams
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- Tyrel Jackson Williams
- Tylen Jacob Williams
Tyler joked with Jennifer Hudson that it was basically a way for his parents to save time. Or maybe it was just easier for Le'Roy to keep track of everyone. Regardless, all three brothers ended up as successful actors. Tyrel starred in Lab Rats on Disney XD, and Tylen was a lead in Instant Mom.
It’s rare to see a family where 100% of the siblings "make it" without some kind of massive scandal. Usually, there's a black sheep. Not here. That speaks volumes about the parenting of Le'Roy and Angela Williams. They managed to navigate the "rich and famous" lifestyle (Angela even wrote a book about it called My Child Is Going to Be Rich and Famous) without losing the core values Le'Roy brought home from the precinct.
Moving Past the "Everybody Hates Chris" Shadow
For a long time, people just saw Tyler as the kid from the Chris Rock show. But as he transitioned into The Walking Dead and eventually Abbott Elementary, the conversation changed. People started asking about the man behind the actor.
Le'Roy Williams has stayed largely out of the spotlight compared to his wife Angela, who handled more of the public-facing management roles. But his presence is felt in the stability of his sons. In a 2024 interview on Live with Kelly and Mark, Tyler talked about how the family remains incredibly close, even living together at various points in New York and L.A.
That doesn't happen by accident.
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It happens because a father figure provides a foundation that makes the "celebrity" part of life feel like a job rather than an identity. Le'Roy wasn't impressed by the red carpets; he was a man who worked twenty years in the NYPD and then went into a classroom to teach.
What We Can Learn From the Williams Family
If you're looking for the "secret sauce" to raising successful, grounded kids, the Le'Roy Williams playbook seems to be:
- Demand Discipline: You don't survive twenty years in the NYPD without it.
- Foster Creativity: Don't kill the "artist" side of your kids just because you have a "serious" job.
- Keep it Real: Don't let the Hollywood hype machine dictate your family's values.
Le'Roy Williams managed to be the silent backbone of a Hollywood dynasty. He didn't need the fame. He had the respect of his peers in the force and the ears of musical legends.
Your Next Steps to Understanding the Williams Dynasty
If you want to see the direct results of Le'Roy's influence, watch Tyler James Williams' performance as Gregory Eddie in Abbott Elementary. The character—a disciplined, slightly rigid, but deeply caring educator—feels like a direct homage to the two phases of his father's life: the sergeant and the teacher.
To dig deeper into the family's philosophy on fame, check out Angela Williams' book or watch the brothers' joint interviews. They offer a rare glimpse into a family that treated show business like a trade craft rather than a lottery ticket.