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Jackson Avery, M.D., F.A.C.S. is a fictional character in the ABC prime time medical drama, Grey's Anatomy, portrayed by actor Jesse Williams. The character was created by series creator and executive producer, Shonda Rhimes. He was introduced in season 6 episode "Invasion" as a surgical resident formerly from Mercy West Medical Center when it merges with Seattle Grace Hospital. Williams initially appeared as a recurring cast member, and was later promoted to a series regular in season 7. The character's main storyline involves Jackson trying to achieve success on his own instead of riding on the coattails of his surgeon grandfather's high reputation. He specializes in plastic surgery after working with chief Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) in season 7, and later became chief of the department himself. Jackson had five relationships with, in order, Lexie Grey (Chyler Leigh), April Kepner (Sarah Drew) Stephanie Edwards, April Kepner (Sarah Drew) (again), Maggie Pierce, Victoria Hughes, Jo Wilson, and April Kepner (Sarah Drew) (again). He married Kepner and had two children: a son, Samuel, who died of osteogenesis imperfecta type II, and a daughter named Harriet. Avery left Seattle with former spouse April Kepner (Sarah Drew) to run the Catherine Fox foundation. On the 400th episode of the show, Jackson returned to Seattle and it was revealed that he and April had rekindled their romantic relationship while living in Boston. Jackson Avery is the grandson of Harper Avery, one of the most famous surgeons in the country and the namesake of the prestigious Harper Avery Award. The younger Avery grew up hearing at his grandmother's dinner table about the nobility of being a surgeon, which inspired him to pursue that career. His father, Robert (Eric Roberts), "ran off to God knows where because he couldn't stand the pressure of being an Avery", and his mother, Catherine nee Fox (Debbie Allen), raised him alone. He says that in his family, he was identified as "just the pretty one" and they never pushed him academically, so he pushed himself.
