Michael K. Williams is a known fan favorite as Chalky White on HBO's Boardwalk Empire, but the dancer-turned-actor almost ended up in business instead of entertainment.

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Wednesday, the actor spoke with USA Today about his upbringing and the future his mother had planned for him. "She raised me the old-fashioned way: learn a trade or get an education..." he explained, "And I didn't excel in either."

After "getting his life together" at 23 and taking some business classes, Williams happened to see a Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation music video that changed his life forever. "If I hadn't [seen the video]," insisted the 47-year-old actor, "I don't know where I'd be today, but it wouldn't be pretty."

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Williams found his way into dancing, working as an extra for music videos before a bar fight at 25 led to a noticeable scar across his face. The scar, it turns out, led to a number of acting gigs. "The scar was a blessing in disguise because it caught people's attention..." said Williams.. "I perfected the 'bad boy' image, but I got really bored with that early on. I knew if I stayed in the game, I had to be a person of substance".

Williams' complexity as an actor led to parts on HBO's The Wire and Boardwalk Empire, the latter of which continues with its fifth season this fall. "He's hell bent on revenge," noted Williams of White, "We'll see if he gets it."

Boardwalk Empire returns to HBO for its fifth and final season Sunday, September 7th at 9 p.m. ET/PT.

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Boardwalk Empire, Hbo, Television