Mr. Williamson's Background

Mr. Williamson is a talented man. He excelled on the football field and then became one of the first Black action heroes on film. The Hammer: An American Hero details his rise from obscurity to one of the most talented football players in history. Williamson grew up on the tough streets of Chicago. He excelled in school and graduated from Northwestern University with a degree in architectural engineering.

He went on to become a successful football player creating the controversial bump and run technique. He then became a very successful writer, director, and star of many exciting, action films. He also starred on several hit television shows. He played a major part in the explosion of Black action films in the seventies and continues to make films today.

Williamson's Impact and Goals

Williamson has successfully brought powerful, intelligent images of African American men to the silver screen for years. He wanted to present positive, strong heroic images of Black men to the world. He is an American icon, a hero to many of his fans.

Questions About His Motivation and Career

What motivated Williamson to excel? How did he get bullies to leave him alone in high school? How did he get the name The Hammer? Why did he study martial arts? Why did he write, produce, and direct his own films? Why does he prefer to make independent films? Why did he create his own film production company? Why does he make films overseas? What three rules did he give to film producers who wanted to hire him? Read The Hammer: An American Hero to find the answers to these questions.

If you are a fan of Mr. Williamson or Black cinema, you'll enjoy reading The Hammer: An American Hero.