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Character Biography

The Cain family’s first line of defense against those who wish them harm.

Actor Biography

Mykelti Williamson stars as Virgil Hayes, teenaged Leopold Cain's bodyguard—and the family's first line of defense against the constant threat that continues even after the kidnapping in NBC's "Kidnapped."

"Kidnapped" is a high-stakes serialized thriller in which the Cain’s 15-year-old son of a wealthy Upper East Side family is kidnapped and everyone is a suspect. The series focuses on the elaborate, triangulated game between the kidnappers, FBI and law enforcement, and the private negotiating team contracted by this perhaps not-so-picture-perfect family.

Although best remembered for his touching performance as Pvt. Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue opposite Tom Hanks in the 1994 Academy Award-winning film "Forrest Gump," Williamson has been acting professionally since age 18. Born in St. Louis, Williamson and his family moved frequently during his childhood, finally settling in Los Angeles when he was 15. He has also appeared in the films "Free Willy," "Free Willy 2," "Waiting to Exhale," "Heat" (with Al Pacino) and the Muhammad Ali biography "Ali," starring Will Smith.

Williamson's television credits include the role of Detective Bobby "Fearless" Smith in the Peabody Award-winning drama "Boomtown," as well as the series "The Hoop Life" for Showtime. He has also starred in the television movies "Soul of the Game," in which he portrayed Negro League baseball player Josh Gibson, and the William Friedkin-directed "12 Angry Men" (co-starring Jack Lemmon, George C. Scott and Ossie Davis), and the military western "Buffalo Soldiers."

Williamson recently co-starred in "Lucky Number Slevin" with Bruce Willis and Morgan Freeman and "Spinning Into Butter," opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. He can be seen next in the film "Vice," opposite Daryl Hannah and Michael Madsen.

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