Dark, wavy-haired, boyishly earnest, Williams Ragsdale graduated from Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas studying religion and humanities before deciding to buckle down and become an actor. The acting bug began to tempt the handsome young actor while appearing in a few college plays and musicals on the sly. His parents actually gave him a graduation present in the form of tuition for the Drama Studio London's American school at Berkeley, California. His first taste of success came on stage playing Eugene, Neil Simon's autobiographical protagonist, in both "Biloxi Blues" and "Broadway Bound." Reminding one easily of a young Jack Lemmon, Ragsdale's appeal came in a cute, huggable package and he clinched this likeable image after being cast in the hugely successful teen horror flick Fright Night (1985) as a typical high school student convinced that vampires are living next door. Other less notable entries, including the sequel Fright Night, Part II (1989) and Mannequin Two (1991), came his way as a result. Since then, TV has been his medium of choice, with the cult series favorite "Herman's Head" adding to his momentum, not to mention brief runs in such series as "American Pie" (1996), "Brother's Keeper" (1998) and "Grosse Point" (2000). He recently married.


Lost out to Matthew Broderick in lead film roles of Biloxi Blues (1988) and Project X (1987). His two sisters, Gail and Elizabeth, live in Arkansas.