Michelle Williams acts professionally.
Michelle Ingrid Williams ( born September 9 , 1980 ) is an American actress . Williams received critical acclaim for the role of Alma , wife of Ennis Del Mar , in Brokeback Mountain ( 2005 ) , for which she won a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and was nominated for the SAG Award , BAFTA Award , Golden Globe , and Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress . Michelle Williams (singer) . Williams has found success as a television , Broadway and West End theatre actress , gaining a nomination for `` Best Lead Female -- Equity '' in 2008 at the 18th Annual NAACP Theatre Awards . Making her acting debut on Broadway in Aida ( 2003 ) , she has since starred in the sitcom series Half & Half ( 2006 ) and the musical productions ; The Color Purple ( 2007 ) , Chicago ( 2009 -- 10 ) , What My Husband Does n't Know ( 2011 ) and Fela !