Kelli Renee Williams[1] (born June 8, 1970[2]) is an American actress and director. She is known for her roles as lawyer Lindsay Dole on the ABClegal dramaThe Practice, psychologist and deception expert Dr. Gillian Foster on the Fox series Lie to Me, Jackie Clarke on the Lifetime series Army Wives, and Margaret Reed on the NBC drama series Found.
Early life
Kelli Williams was born in Los Angeles, California.[1] She is the daughter of actress Shannon Wilcox and plastic surgeon John Williams. Her parents divorced when she was 13. She has one brother and two half-brothers.[3]
Beginning with episode 11, "Moon Cross" (aired on February 5, 1995), of the science-fiction series Earth 2, Williams appeared in a multiple episode story arc in the role of Mary, a human orphan raised on another planet by the indigenous alien species known as the Terrians.
In May 2007, she portrayed Holly Lauren/Kathleen Shaw in the Law & Order: Criminal Intent sixth-season finale episode, "Renewal," as a friendly neighbor of Detective Mike Logan (Chris Noth); her character died toward the end of the episode. In August 2008, Williams was cast in a lead role as psychologist Dr. Gillian Foster in the Fox series Lie to Me, opposite Tim Roth as Dr. Cal Lightman, which ran for three seasons and ended in 2011.[5]
In April 2011, she was cast in a guest role as Shelley Chamberlain, a grieving mother on a killing spree[6] in the CBS series Criminal Minds. In October 2011, she was cast in a guest role as a kidnapped child's mother called Elizabeth Flint in the CBS series The Mentalist. In 2012, she landed the recurring role of Jackie Clarke in the Lifetime series Army Wives and was quickly promoted to a series regular.[7]
On August 12, 2015, Ties That Bind, the first original series from the Up Network, debuted with Williams playing police detective Allison McLean. The series balances McLean's work and family.[8]
In 2022, she joined the cast of the NBC series, Found.[10]
Personal life
Williams was married to author Ajay Sahgal from 1996 to 2017. She converted to Hinduism after marrying her husband.[11][12] The couple has three children.[13] Williams speaks French and Spanish,[3] and has volunteered with the Young Storytellers Program.[14]
She has been in a relationship with performance artist, choreographer, and director Lynsey Peisinger since 2023.[15]
^ abBeller, Miles (August 1, 1989). "TV Review: 'Curse of the Corn People'". The Hollywood Reporter. pp. 4, 44. ProQuest2826323311. Other connected with 'Curse of the Corn People' include [...] a college student named Natalie (Kelli Renee Williams), who divides her time between waitressing and serving as a girl 'Friday' to the moviemakers.
^Lavin, Cheryl (October 11, 1998). "KELLI WILLIAMS: [CHICAGOLAND FINAL Edition]". Chicago Tribune. p. 8. ProQuest418548149. Birthday: June 8, 1970. Birthplace: Los Angeles. Occupation: Actress
