Tyler James Williams Was Almost Too Good-Looking to Play Young Chris Rock [Video]

Being as funny as Chris Rock is a lot of pressure -- especially for a 12-year-old! Tyler James Williams, who played a fictional version of a young Rock on the UPN/The CW sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," stopped by to chat with Michael Yo about those early auditions in front of Rock (he tried out six times!), the downside of looking good, and what's he's up to today.

Can you imagine missing out on a life-changing role because you're too good-looking? That's exactly what almost happened to Williams -- who won a 2007 NAACP Image Award for the role -- because Rock thought he wasn't awkward enough to portray his childhood self. "[It's] like a backhanded compliment. I didn't know how to feel about that. I really didn't know how to take that one in," Williams told Yo.

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But apparently, it's true that Rock wasn't the best-looking kid, according to Williams, who joked about the comedian's adolescent appearance (they had real-life photos of a young Rock on set): "It was a very awkward point in his life, so I understand. [He] hadn't quite grown into his teeth."

More audition drama: Williams had to stop a plane shortly before takeoff, because he got news that he'd landed the role and had to disembark immediately!

Now 20, this former child star hasn't gone off the tracks. In fact, Williams is starring in Tyler Perry's newest film "Peeples," which will be in theaters on May 10, and stars as Owen on Matthew Perry's hit NBC comedy "Go On."