William Stanford Davis

William Stanford Davis is an award-winning, classically trained and lauded actor who is a veteran of both stage and screen with over 100 credits to his name. He currently stars as a series regular on ABC’s Emmy®, SAG, Golden Globe®, and Critics Choice Award-winning hit comedy series “Abbott Elementary” in the role of Mr. Johnson, the quick-witted janitor and occasional substitute teacher beloved by both fans and critics alike. “Abbott Elementary” is airing its highly anticipated third season, and the show marks the first series regular role of Davis’ career.

A longtime member of The Actors Studio who was recently nominated for his second consecutive NAACP Image Award in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series, Davis is an extraordinarily gifted actor who has been working regularly for over 30 years. Davis worked in radio before moving to LA at age 33 to become an actor. He has since worked across TV, theater and film.

Davis’ TV credits include memorable roles in “Truth Be Told,” “Swagger,” “Snowpiercer,” “Ray Donovan,” “Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip,” “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” “Chicago Med” and “The Big Bang Theory.” He earned an Emmy Award in 2002 as part of the cast of Rasheen Crawley’s “The Movement.”

In film, Davis played strong supporting characters in such projects as AppleTV’s “A Holiday Chance,” Hulu’s “Please Stand By,” as well as the feature film “So Be It” opposite Alfre Woodard.

On stage, Davis was honored with an Ovation Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in the 2006 Actors Studio Production of August Wilson’s “Fences,” and he performed in the musical production “North on South Central,” which won five NAACP Theatre Awards in 2004. In addition to acting, he has directed several productions including Lawrence Fishburne’s play “Riff Raff,” a production of “Shame” at the Elephant Asylum Theatre, and “The Old Settler” at the Pico Playhouse.

Davis is also passionate about mentoring and coaching young artists. He resides in Los Angeles.