Allison Williams, an actress with a strong background in improvisation, rose to prominence as a key member of the ensemble cast in Lena Dunham’s widely praised television series Girls (HBO, 2012–17). Born to Brian Williams, the longtime anchor of NBC Nightly News (1970– ), Allison went on to graduate from Yale University, where she spent four years as part of the improv group Just Add Water.
Before her breakout role on Girls, Allison made a few appearances on television, including a couple of guest spots on American Dreams (NBC, 2002–05) in 2004 and a later role on The League (FX, 2009–15) in 2011. However, it was her comedic talent and improvisational skills that helped her gain broader attention through a series of viral online videos. Among these were a set of Funny or Die sketches in which she portrayed royal newlywed Kate Middleton, showcasing her ability to blend humor with sharp character work.
Thanks to her improv experience, Allison was invited to audition for Lena Dunham and Judd Apatow’s HBO series Girls, where she ultimately landed the role of Marnie Michaels. Marnie, the roommate and best friend of Dunham’s character Hannah Horvath, was known for her seemingly put-together demeanor, which masked a complex inner world of insecurities and personal struggles.
In December 2014, Allison took on the iconic title role in Peter Pan Live! (NBC, 2014), a live television adaptation of the classic J.M. Barrie story. That same year, she also appeared in the independent romantic comedy College Musical (2014), further demonstrating her versatility as both an actress and a singer.
As Girls came to a close, Allison Williams transitioned to the big screen in a major way, starring as the female lead in Jordan Peele’s critically acclaimed horror hit Get Out (2017), marking a powerful new chapter in her career.
Allison Williams is best known for her role in the highly acclaimed movie Get Out (2017), which remains her most popular and well-received work to date. On the other hand, one of her less favored projects includes Horizon Line (2020), which didn’t quite resonate as strongly with audiences or critics. While Allison Williams has been part of several films, it’s Get Out that truly stands out as a highlight in her career so far.