Photo: Kevork Djansezian/NBC via Getty
Tyler James Williamsis opening up about his “traumatic” experience as a child star.
He said in an interview withGQthat a producer on the sitcom — which ran from 2005 to 2009 — once told him, “I’ll never see you as anything elseand you’ll probably never work again.”
Williams continued, “I was like, ‘Holy s—, you really just looked at me and said that.'” Though Williams acknowledges the comment could have been a joke, he still took it to heart.
Richard Cartwright/CBS Photo Archive via Getty
TheAbbott Elementarystar added that he understood “pretty f—ing quickly” that young celebrities can get pigeonholed into perpetually playing teen roles — this epiphany allowed Williams to change the path of his career afterEverybody Hates Chrisendd.
“I realized at 17 that I didn’t like the road I was on,” he explained. “So I decided to stop and pivot. I got with a really good acting coach and I turned down every single thing I was offered.”
The career hiatus ended when he took a starring role in 2014’sDear White Peopleas well as parts on shows includingTheWalking DeadandCriminal Minds. He went on towin a 2023 Golden Globefor playing role ofGregory EddieonAbbott Elementary.
Williams said his timeEverybody Hates Christaught him an important lesson: “I learned how to carry a show in a matter of two or three months. It’s the most useful information I’ve ever gotten in my life.”
Gilles Mingasson/ABC
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.
source: people.com
