Vanessa Williams is best known for her role as Wilhelmina Slater in Ugly Betty, as Renee Perry in Desperate Housewives, and as the voice of Miranda in The Penguins of Madagascar.
Films
- The Christmas CottageEileen2008
- My BrotherL’Tisha2006
- Johnson Family VacationDorothy Johnson2004
- ShaftCarmen Vasquez2000
- The Adventures of Elmo in GrouchlandQueen of Trash1999
- EraserLee Cullen1996
- The Pick-up ArtistRae1987
TV shows
- The EqualizerAbigail2021
- The LibrariansGeneral Cynthia Rockwell2014
- Desperate HousewivesRenee Perry2010
- Ugly BettyWilhelmina Slater2006
- The Penguins of MadagascarMiranda (voice)2008
- The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirDanny Mitchell1994
- The Cosby ShowSondra Huxtable1990
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About Vanessa Williams
Vanessa Williams is an American actress, singer, and former Miss America who has enjoyed a prolific career in film and television since the 1980s. She rose to fame as the first African-American Miss America in 1984 and transitioned to acting, earning acclaim for her comedic and dramatic roles on stage and screen.
FAQs
What is Vanessa Williams’ most famous TV role?
She is best known for playing Wilhelmina Slater on the ABC comedy-drama Ugly Betty (2006–2010), for which she received multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations.
Did Vanessa Williams win Miss America?
Yes, she was crowned Miss America 1984, becoming the first African-American woman to win the title. She resigned later that year due to a scandal involving unauthorised nude photographs.
Has Vanessa Williams appeared in any stage musicals?
Yes, she has performed on Broadway in productions such as Kiss of the Spider Woman (1995) and Into the Woods (2002), earning a Tony Award nomination for the latter.
What is Vanessa Williams’ connection to the film Eraser?
She played Lee Cullen, a key witness and love interest to Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, in the 1996 action film Eraser.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026