Vanessa Williams Facts: A Days of Our Lives Cast Primer

Vanessa Williams has played Valerie Grant on Days of Our Lives since 2016, popping in and out of Salem when needed, but the actress has also had recurring roles on shows such as 40 and Single, Famous In Love, and The Flash.

Along with her work on television, Williams has also appeared in movies over the course of her career. From where she was born and raised to being cast on that show with a famous address, here are five fast facts about the DAYS actress.

Who Is Vanessa Williams?

Williams was born on May 12 in Brooklyn, New York, which is where she was also raised. She became a member of the New York City Opera’s Children’s Chorus by age 11 and signed with a talent manager shortly after. She graduated from New York’s High School of Performing Arts and then attended Marymount Manhattan College.

Famous Address
Williams was the first African American actor to be cast on Melrose Place when she landed the role of Rhonda Blair for once season, and she ended up being the only one cast in a series-regular role on the show during its run.

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Seeing Double?
Williams appeared on the TV show Soul Food from 2000 – 2004 (winning an Image Award in the process) while her name twin — singer and former Desperate Housewives actress Vanessa Williams — appeared in the movie-version of Soul Food in 1997.

Film History

Along with her work on television, Williams has also appeared in a number of movies. She has appeared in films such as New Jack City, Drop Squad, Mother (which starred Debbie Reynolds), Like Mike, Imagine That (which starred Eddie Murphy), and Thriller.

Getting Personal
Williams married producer Andre Wiseman in 1993 in Stuyvesant, New York. However, the couple split in April 2018 after 26 years of marriage. Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.