Tyler James Williams, best known for his roles in “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Abbott Elementary”, has opened up about living with Crohn’s disease.
In an exclusive with People Magazine, the Black actor described how the disease forced him into a crisis years ago and how he now uses his platform to encourage others to speak up.
“I spent a portion of my life and career in wild amounts of discomfort and pain,” he told People. “Had I had a more in-depth conversation with a gastroenterologist, a lot of that could have been treated more directly or avoided.”
Williams says he had three surgeries in a three-month span and endured hospitalizations across both coasts, according to People. At one point, he said he felt deeply isolated by the illness.
“There’s a unique type of depression that comes with, ‘I’m the only one going through this,’” he shared with People.
Today, Williams says he is doing better, on medication, and in remission.
Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes the digestive tract to become inflamed and irritated, according to the Cleveland Clinic. It can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, but most often the small and large intestines.
Though anyone can become ill with Crohn’s regardless of race or ethnicity, it has been historically more diagnosed in white populations, according to Mayo Clinic.
Some risk factors include people between 15–35 being diagnosed; smoking, which worsens the disease and increases complications; and use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which may aggravate symptoms.
The disease is lifelong and cannot be cured, although treatments can reduce symptoms and lead to periods of remission. Over time, chronic inflammation can lead to scarring, narrowing (strictures), and other complications.
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Symptoms to Watch
Symptoms of Crohn’s disease often come and go (flares and remissions). Common signs include:
- Abdominal pain or cramps
- Chronic diarrhea, sometimes with blood
- Loss of appetite and unintended weight loss
- Fatigue and fever
- Mouth ulcers, joint pain, or eye inflammation
If untreated, Crohn’s disease may lead to serious complications, such as intestinal obstruction, fistulas, abscesses, malnutrition, or increased colon cancer risk.
What Causes It
The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown. Most experts agree it’s triggered by a mix of genetic, immune, and environmental factors. In people with Crohn’s, the immune system may mistakenly attack healthy intestinal bacteria, causing inflammation. A family history raises the risk.
Diagnosis
There is no single test to confirm Crohn’s disease. According to Mayo Clinic, doctors rely on a combination:
- Medical history and physical exam
- Blood tests to detect inflammation or anemia
- Stool tests to rule out infection.
- Imaging (X-rays, CT, MRI) to view the digestive tract
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy, often with biopsy for tissue analysis
Treatment
While there is no cure, treatment aims to control inflammation, relieve symptoms, and prevent flares, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Typical treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as corticosteroids
- Immunosuppressants or biologic therapy to calm the immune response
- Antibiotics, when infections are involved
- Dietary changes, sometimes a liquid diet or nutritional supplements during flares
- Surgery to remove damaged portions of the intestine, repair fistulas, or treat blockages
However, surgery is not a cure. In many cases, doctors try to preserve as much healthy intestine as possible.
Living With Crohn’s Disease
Managing lifestyle factors can help reduce flare-ups and improve quality of life. Cleveland Clinic and other health sources have some recommendations for controlling the disease:
- Quit smoking — it is known to worsen Crohn’s disease and raise the risk of surgery
- Work with doctors before starting supplements or herbs — some may interfere with medications
- Maintain a balanced diet tailored to your tolerance, avoiding known triggers (e.g., red meat, high fiber during flares)
- Stay in regular communication with your gastroenterologist about your symptoms, test results, and treatment goals — overhead delays can worsen outcomes
- Monitor mental health — chronic conditions often come with emotional stress and isolation
By sharing his experience, Williams hopes others will recognize symptoms early and advocate for better care.
His own ordeal—three surgeries in a few months, extended hospital stays, and isolation—underscores the urgency of awareness.
