<P> Jesse Wesley Williams ( born August 5 , 1981 ) is an American actor , director , teacher and activist , best known for his role as Dr. Jackson Avery on the ABC Television series Grey 's Anatomy . He also appeared in the 2013 film The Butler as civil rights leader Rev. James Lawson . His other roles have included Holden in The Cabin in the Woods ( 2012 ) ; Officer Eddie Quinlan in Brooklyn 's Finest ( 2009 ) ; and Leo in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 ( 2008 ) . </P>
actor who plays dr avery on grey 's anatomy
Jesse Wesley Williams