The 24-year-old Canadian actor Hudson Williams found worldwide fame through his role as Shane Hollander in the 2025 sports-romance series Heated Rivalry, which brought him “internet boyfriend” status and led to his selection as a torchbearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics.
Who is Hudson Williams?
Hudson Williams (born February 13, 2001) is a Canadian actor from Kamloops, British Columbia, who rose to international fame in late 2025 for his breakout role in the Crave/HBO Max series Heated Rivalry. He portrays Shane Hollander, an anxious Japanese-Canadian hockey star secretly involved with his rival, a role that catapulted him to sudden stardom. Before his fame, Williams worked as a server at an Old Spaghetti Factory in Vancouver and began his career by writing, directing, and starring in short films.
Hudson Williams Age & Birthplace
Hudson Williams (born February 13, 2001) is a Canadian actor who became an international star for his role in the queer hockey drama Heated Rivalry. He is 24 years old and was born in Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
Hudson Williams Parents & Ethnicity
Williams was born in Kamloops, British Columbia, which he described to GQ as a “pocket desert.” He is of mixed Asian-Canadian heritage, raised by his Korean mother—an interior designer who transitioned into film production coordination—and his father, a mechanical engineer of British and Dutch descent. He has spoken with deep pride about his father’s brilliance and experience on the autism spectrum, which shaped their relationship and his performance. He attended Sa-Hali Secondary School and earned an acting certificate from Langara College in 2020.
Hudson Williams Height
His exact height has not been publicly confirmed, but fans speculate he is between 5’9″ and 6’0″ tall.
Hudson Williams Net Worth
Hudson Williams’ net worth is estimated to be between $100,000 and $500,000 USD as of January 2026 (roughly ₹91.7 lakh to ₹4.58 crore INR). Although his co-star Connor Storrie has a similar estimated net worth, Williams has seen a major jump in income following Heated Rivalry’s worldwide success.
Hudson Williams’ Relationship with Connor Storrie
Williams and his Heated Rivalry co-star Connor Storrie share a close professional and personal bond but are not romantically involved. Both actors have clarified in interviews that their relationship is strictly platonic, despite their on-screen chemistry. Their real-life friendship includes a matching tattoo, and they have collaborated on projects like narrating the audiobook Ember and Ice. In January 2026, they were jointly named official torchbearers for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026.
Hudson Williams Partner
According to sources, Hudson Williams is publicly single. While his breakout role in the series Heated Rivalry has led to intense fan speculation about his dating life, he has consistently maintained that he prefers to keep his personal relationships private.
Despite their powerful on-screen chemistry as Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov, Williams and his co-star Connor Storrie are not dating.
Is Hudson Williams Korean
Yes, Hudson Williams is half-Korean. He is a mixed-race Asian-Canadian actor, born to a Korean mother and a father of British and Dutch descent. Williams frequently speaks about his Korean heritage in interviews and has credited his mother for his extensive knowledge of K-beauty and skincare.
Hudson Williams in 2026 Winter Olympics
In a unique convergence of art and life, Williams and Storrie were selected as official torchbearers for the 2026 Winter Olympics, honoring the massive cultural impact of Heated Rivalry, in which their characters are Olympic athletes. They will carry the Olympic flame in the relay leading up to the Opening Ceremony on February 6, 2026. This milestone follows other high-profile moments for Williams, including making his runway debut opening the Dsquared2 show at Milan Fashion Week in January 2026.
How Did Hudson Williams Prepare for ‘Heated Rivalry’?
Williams trained for the role of top hockey player Shane Hollander by developing strong on-ice skills, even though he is not a professional athlete. He also drew from his personal life, saying his father’s neurodiversity helped shape Hollander’s anxiety and attention to detail. The show premiered on November 28, 2025, and its instant success took Williams from working as a server to becoming a globally known star signed by major agencies.
