Victor Williams

Victor L. Williams (born September 19, 1970) hails from Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in a vibrant, culturally‑rich neighborhood that sparked his early love for performance. He attended Midwood High School, standing an impressive 6 ft 5 ½ in (1.97 m) and playing on the school basketball team, an experience that cultivated discipline and teamwork—traits he later applied to his acting career. After graduating high school, Williams pursued a Bachelor of Arts at the State University of New York, Binghamton, where he sharpened his academic foundation while participating in campus theater productions. Eager to hone his craft, he earned a Master of Fine Arts in acting from New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts, emerging with a sophisticated technique and a deep appreciation for character study.

Williams launched his professional journey in 1984, quickly gaining recognition for his versatile presence on both the small and big screens. He is perhaps best known for his role as Deacon Palmer, the affable best friend to Kevin James’s Doug Heffernan on the hit sitcom The King of Queens, a part that showcased his comedic timing and warm screen chemistry. Beyond that iconic role, he has enriched numerous acclaimed series—including Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order, ER, New York Undercover, Girlfriends, Fringe, and The Jamie Foxx Show—demonstrating a remarkable ability to navigate drama, comedy, and science‑fiction with equal skill. In 2012, Williams expanded his repertoire as the charismatic pitchman for Verizon Fios television commercials, further cementing his status as a recognizable and trusted face in American pop culture.