Germane Williams: Walks in his father’s footsteps

Germane Williams: Walks in his father’s footsteps
Photo by Stefano Giovannini

Germane Williams was born in New York City; both of his parents are from Jamaica. His mother is from the parish of St. Catherine, and his father is from Mandeville.

Williams’ father, Ken Williams, came to the United States with the hopes of becoming an actor. He even emceed some of Bob Marley’s live shows when he visited the Tri-State area, including at The Apollo Theater, which also featured The Commodores. Williams’ father has been a successful entrepreneur as the owner of nightclub Carib New York and now the chief executive officer of Jamaica’s Hot 102 FM.

Williams’ mother, Dr. Jean Chin, is a graduate of Columbia Medical School and is the first woman of color to open her own OB/GYN private practice on NYC’s Park Avenue.

After graduating high school, Williams attended Drew University in New Jersey and graduated with a BA in Sociology. In college, he was a radio DJ, like his father.

During his few years in Corporate America and working for great companies like Conde Nast Publications, J Records and My9 Network, Williams said he sneaked off to acting, voiceover and modeling auditions.

He was also a guest co-host and entertainment and sports news reporter for his father’s weekly radio show at 93.5 WVIP-FM.

After earning a MA in Television, Radio and Film from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Williams said there was no turning back for him.

Today, he is happy to call himself a “working SAG-AFTRA actor, voiceover artist and on air personality.”

He has worked and appeared on many shows, commercials and campaigns such as NBC, MTV, ESPN, NBA, McDonald’s, Verizon, Chase, Grand Marnier, Crown Royal, Sprite, Grand Theft Auto, Scholastic Books, among others.

HOME COUNTRY:

Jamaica

EDUCATION:

Syracuse University, MA in Television, Radio and Film; Drew University in New Jersey, BA in Sociology

OCCUPATION:

SAG-AFTRA actor, voiceover artist and on air personality.

BEST QUOTES:

“Once I finally realized that a full time career in entertainment is what I truly want, I was able to commit myself to doing that without much reservation,” he says. “My upbringing and family prepared me to go after what I want and actually believe I can have it if I work for it.”

PERSON I ADMIRE MOST:

“As I get older my admiration and love for my mother continues to evolve and grow because I appreciate all that she does and all that she is. She is the true epitome of a strong Jamaican woman. Heart of gold on the inside, tough as nails on the outside…unless you really know her. Always honest, always supportive. And if you ask her where she gets it all from, she will say her mother – the matriarch of our wonderful family, Nina Joyce Chin.”