Rugg Williams

Life and career

A native of Washington, D.C., Rugg holds degrees in Business Management and Marketing. After relocating to Los Angeles, he attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts where he performed in such productions as Picnic, A Taste of Honey and Othello. He has since then performed in over sixty stage productions including The Mighty Gents, The Pajama Game, Slow Down the Night, the national tour of God's Trying to Tell You Something and A Soldier's Play. The NAACP Theatre Committee and the L.A Weekly Theatre Awards have honored him for his work in Ted Lange’s Tinseltown Trilogy. His most prominent stage performance was at the Pasadena Playhouse, in the award-winning play Mr. Ricky Calls a Meeting, directed by Sheldon Epps.

Rugg is best known for his portrayal of Eugene on In the Heat of the Night for four seasons, playing opposite the late Carroll O'Connor and Denise Nicholas. His other television credits include Dangerous Minds, Family Matters, Silk Stalkings, Hunter, Real Ghosts, a guest-starring role in CBS’ MOW Crosses on the Lawn, a recurring role on Beverly Hills, 90210, Sister, Sister and Walker, Texas Ranger. Rugg has also captured roles in films such as Good Kids Die Too, Family Prayers, Biker Boyz, Renegade Radio, Trippin' and Social Misfits. When Rugg was cast in BET’s original comedy sketch show L.A. Friday's, he was also hired on as one of the show's writers.

After a successful run as a working actor in Hollywood, Rugg was cast in the long running stage play Jonin'. He became one of the show's producers. The play was then re-cast with new director Tommy Ford and went on to run another successful year.

Rugg then formed his own company, RuggRat FilmWorks, Inc., which led to him writing and directing his own film short, Lost and Found, about a young homeless boy who finds a wallet with a winning lottery ticket inside. Soon after he began to assemble several television premises and pilots to develop along with a catalog of feature films ideas.

Rugg co-created and produced the pilot of Calvin and Freddie’s Cosmic Encounters starring his own sons Oren Williams (Rebound) and Zachary Isaiah Williams (Honey).

Rugg is also the co-author of the book ShowBiz Kidz... How to Get Your Child Started in Show Business.

Filmography

- Home Sweet Dorm (1998) … Michael

– Mr. Justice (1997) … Clifton Harris

– Who's Afraid of the Big Black Book? (1997) … Rick – The Urkel Who Came to Dinner (1992) … Laura's Study Partner

– Evolution (1996) … Worker #1

– The Things We Do for Love (1996) … Floor Director – Disappearing Act (1996) … Floor Director

– It's a Gorganus Life (1995) … Swinton Sawyer – The Glitch (1995) … Swinton Sawyer – The Opiate from the Future (1995) … Swinton Sawyer – Turncoat (1995) … Swinton Sawyer – Deja Vu (1995) … Swinton Sawyer 35 more episodes

– Hard Choices (1994) … Eugene Glendon – A Correct Settling (1993) … Eugene Glendon – The Leftover Man: Part 2 (1993) … Eugene Glendon – A Small War: Part 2 (1992) … Eugene Glendon – A Small War: Part 1 (1992) … Eugene Glendon 4 more episodes

– Crosses on the Lawn (1993) … Chris Hawkins

– Crush (1993)

– The Incident (1990) … Randy Ellis

– Fish Bait (1989) … Guy

Existing articles

Tattooed Teenage Alien Fighters from Beverly Hills Swinton Sawyer played by Rugg Williams was the brains of the group, he wore glasses and was African-American unlike the other teens. ... 9 KB (1,454 words) - 23:27, 7 October 2010

Haunted Lives: True Ghost Stories William Parker (Wally Marshall), Sheena Easton (Janet Mackey), Rugg Williams (Mike), Linda Cook (Patricia Mischel), Edward Winter (Carl Lawson) ... 15 KB (2,315 words) - 18:59, 13 October 2010

In the Heat of the Night (TV series) Recurring cast |! : Rugg Williams | Eugene Glendon | Wallace Merck | Colmer | Christine Elise | Lana Gillespie - Gillespie's daughter ... 34 KB (5,358 words) - 02:46, 2 October 2010