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Michael Kenneth Williams was born on the 22nd November 1966 in Brooklyn, New York City. His professional career began at the age of 22, when he became a dancer / performer. Early on, it was clear that Michael had talent, and he started his career by taking part in music videos as a background dancer, which led to him performing in concert tours alongside George Michael and Madonna. Next, he took his passion a step further, and worked as a choreographer, creating dance routines for music videos and tours. His career went in a fresh direction when he decided to go into acting, something which he felt was more fulfilling.

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On his 25th birthday, Michael and his friends were attacked in a bar, resulting in him getting his recognisable facial scar. A razorblade cut Michael's face, leaving the scar that ran the length of his face. In 2014, he opened up about the attack, and acknowledged how fortunate he and his friends had been to leave the bar alive that night. He also acknowledged that the scar made his face more memorable, and even opened doors in the industry, propelling his career forward. Casting directors began to typecast Michael as the 'thug', placing him in roles involving gangs and crime. in 1996, he was discovered accidentally by Tupac Shakur, who saw a polaroid picture of the young actor. Shakur was filming the movie 'Bullet', and commented that Williams looked 'thugged out enough that he could play my little brother". This gave Williams his big break, but just weeks after the film released, the influential rapper was shot dead aged 25.

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The roles he initially played did not reflect his own personality. ''I was never a thug. I never even liked to fight.''. The loss of Tupac Shakur weighed heavily on his shoulders, and in 2014, he reflected on the lessons he learned from the rapper. ''I was very blessed, very humbled, to be there as an actor in his presence and I just did a lot of listening. Very early on, he showed me how to command the set – to lock it down. He showed me how, on a certain level, to get things done."

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In 2004, Williams suffered an identity crisis when playing the role of Omar Little in HBO's 'The Wire', taking on the name for himself, and turning to drugs like cannabis and cocaine. His personal struggle with addiction was a battle that would last a lifetime. It is reported that his tragic death was due to a suspected overdose. ''I was using Omar as a means of escape. Now I don’t use my job as a way to define me: it’s what I do, not who I am. I have that understanding now.”. The lines between reality and fiction blurred, as he struggled to find a positive way to deal with his problems. After the series ended, he played less intense roles that did not affect his personality, allowing himself to have more control over his actions.

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Giving back to the community was a big part of Michael's life, as he wanted others to have opportunities from a young age. He launched the non-profit organisation Making Kids Win (MKW) , which develops community centers that provide a judgment-free and safe zone for all children. MKW also aims to change the odds for youth growing up in communities experiencing crushing poverty by providing programming and resources to create positive alternatives. Michael never forgot his roots, and lived in Brooklyn his whole life, despite its problems. Instead of looking the other way, he made a difference by launching the MKW organisation, which will continue to provide a safe haven for all who need it.