William Stanford Davis

William Stanford Davis is a SAG Award- and NAACP Image Award-winning, classically trained actor and veteran of both stage and screen with over 100 credits. The St. Louis, Missouri native has received rave reviews for his performance as the cantankerous yet lovable janitor Mr. Johnson on the hit ABC series "Abbott Elementary.”

Davis has appeared in some of the most popular television shows, from his roles on Showtime's series "Ray Donovan” and Tyler Perry’s "If Loving You Is Wrong" to TNT's "Snowpiercer," Aaron Sorkin’s "Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip,” "Curb Your Enthusiasm," "Chicago Med," "Criminal Minds," "The Big Bang Theory," "Ally McBeal," "Touched By An Angel," and many more.

On stage, Davis was honored with an Ovation Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the 2006 Actors Studio Production of August Wilson's "Fences," and he performed in the musical production "North on South Central," which won five NAACP Theatre Awards in 2004. In addition to acting, Davis has directed a number of productions including Lawrence Fishburne's play "Riff Raff," "Shame" at the Elephant Asylum Theatre, and "The Old Settler" at the Pico Playhouse.

Davis has spent more than 15 years mentoring the next generation of talent at both his own company, the William Stanford Davis Acting Class masterclass, and at the Actors Studio, where he is a lifetime member. He has coached several emerging stars, including Alisha Boe, Dylan Sprayberry, Laila Ali, Mc Lyte, and many more.