Tyrel Jackson Williams (born March 16, 1997), also known under the stage name theMetroNorth (formerly TJW and TJOnline), is an American actor, rapper, singer and record producer. He starred as Leo Dooley in the Disney XD series Lab Rats. Williams also co-starred in the 2014 Disney XD television film Pants on Fire. From 2017 to 2020, he co-starred in the comedy series Brockmire.
In 2019, Williams founded the hip-hop collective Grouptherapy, alongside fellow child actors Jadagrace, Coy Stewart, and Elijah Johnson. In 2024, Williams announced his departure from the group.
Early and personal life Williams was born in Westchester County, New York on March 16, 1997. His mother, Angela Williams, is a counselor, and his father, Le'Roy Williams, is a teacher and retired police sergeant. Both have worked as musicians.
Williams has two siblings, both of whom are also actors; Tyler James Williams (b. 1992) and Tylen Jacob Williams (b. 2001). Like his older brother, he suffers from Crohn's disease. In 2023, Tyrel and Tylen came out as LGBTQ+.
Career Williams had roles in the feature films The Naked Brothers Band: The Movie in 2005, and Failure to Launch in 2006. He has also appeared in national commercials for companies such as Target, Verizon, McDonald's, Chex Mix and General Mills. Williams appeared in two episodes of the television series Everybody Hates Chris starting in 2005, as a younger version of Chris who was played by his older brother Tyler James Williams.
In 2011, Williams was cast in the Disney XD series Lab Rats which premiered in 2012, playing the main role of Leo who stumbles upon the existence of the titular bionic heroes. He had a starring role in the 2014 Disney XD television film Pants on Fire. He was also a singing actor for Tyrone in the Nickelodeon animated television series The Backyardigans.
In 2016, Williams was cast in the role of Charles, an internet whiz who has been hired to be the assistant to a minor league baseball team and its sports announcer (Hank Azaria), in the 2017 IFC comedy series Brockmire.Brockmire. IFC.
Williams, along with friends Coy Stewart and Jadagrace, formed the music collective "Grouptherapy". On April 1, 2020, the collective released their debut EP entitled this is not the album. and later released their debut mixtape, there goes the neighborhood. on October 30, 2020.
On March 20, 2024, it was announced that Williams had left Grouptherapy.
On January 9, 2026, Williams released his first single “Motorcity Trippin’” under his new moniker “theMetroNorth”.
Filmography + Television and film roles Year Title Role Notes 2005, 2007 Everybody Hates Chris Young Chris 2 episodes 2005 Toy Guitar Boy Television film 2006 Failure to Launch Jeffrey Film 2008–2013 The Backyardigans Tyrone (singing voice) 31 episodes (seasons 3–4) 2010 Modern Family Little Phil Episode: "Game Changer" 2010 Good Luck Charlie Jasper Episode: "Study Date" 2010, 2012 Community Jordan Bennett 2 episodes; uncredited 2011 Pair of Kings Hilo Tutuki Episode: "The King Beneath My Wings" 2011 Batman: The Brave and the Bold Kyle (voice) Episode: "Powerless!" A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.2012MotorcityPhilip (voice)Episode: "Ride of the Fantasy Vans" 2012–2016 Lab Rats Leo Dooley Main role 2012–2014 Just Kidding Himself Co-host 2014 Pants on Fire Mikey Television film (Disney XD) 2016 Future-Worm! Presto (voice) 3 episodes 2017–2020 Brockmire Charles Main role (seasons 1–2); recurring role (seasons 3–4) 2021 Thunder Force Jessie Television film 2022 Hollywood Stargirl Terrell Television film 2023 Party Down Sackson Main role (season 3)
Awards and nominations YearAwardsCategoryWorkResultRefs 2016 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male TV Star – Kids Show Leo on Lab Rats 2017 Kids' Choice Awards Favorite Male TV Star Leo on Lab Rats
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