Gaius Charles (born May 2, 1983) is an American stage, television and film actor best known for playing Brian "Smash" Williams on the NBC sports-drama television series Friday Night Lights. He starred as Dr. Shane Ross on the ABC medical drama series Grey's Anatomy. Charles currently has a recurring role on the NBC historical-drama series Aquarius as Black Panther leader Bunchy Carter.

Biography

Charles's first name Gaius is an homage to both Gaius Julius Caesar and to one of Jesus' early disciples, Gaius, to whom the Third Epistle of John is addressed. In 2007, he said of his name: "It's so unique that I guess as a kid you don't appreciate it. But as I've gotten older, people have come to really respond to it and really appreciate it for its unusual factor."

Charles is Christian, calling his faith in Christ and God "the only thing that's really gotten me here to this point". After his stint on Friday Night Lights, he left acting in order to pursue a degree in theology from Drew University. Charles's interests include public speaking, boxing, aviation, and writing.