William “Billy” Givens Jensen grew up with two strong worlds around him. One world was Hollywood. His mother is the actress Robin Givens. The other world was sport. His father is Murphy Jensen, a former tennis player who won a Grand Slam doubles title. Because of this, Billy met acting and tennis from a young age. Over time, he found a place in both. He trained and competed in tennis. He also started to make films and direct. His story shows how a young person can learn from family, try different paths, and build his own voice.
Personal Information
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full name | William “Billy” Givens Jensen |
| Born | October 1999 (Los Angeles, USA) |
| Parents | Actress Robin Givens; former tennis pro Murphy Jensen |
| Known for | Short film “Bein’ Green” (director/writer); work on holiday films in 2023 |
| Sports | Competitive tennis (ITF profile) |
| Also seen | Updates on Instagram about film projects |
| Sibling | Older brother (adopted by his mother), Michael “Buddy” Givens |
| Nickname | Billy (used in tennis and media listings) |
Family and Early Life
Billy was born in October 1999 in the United States. His mother, Robin Givens, is known for TV and film roles. She became a public figure in the late 1980s and 1990s. His father, Murphy Jensen, is famous in tennis. With his brother Luke, Murphy won the French Open men’s doubles in 1993 and later worked in tennis media and coaching. Growing up with these parents meant Billy saw film sets, stages, courts, and tournaments. It is not hard to see why he loved stories and sport.
As a teen, Billy kept a low profile. His mother sometimes shared small family moments. In 2018, for example, press noted she was helping him look at colleges. This shows a normal side of his life: study plans, campus visits, and time with family.
Tennis: A Strong Starting Point
Tennis is part of Billy’s family story. His father and uncle both played at a high level. Billy trained and competed too. The International Tennis Federation lists him as “Billy Givens Jensen” and shows he played on the men’s circuit. Competing is not easy. Players travel, face tough draws, and learn to handle pressure. These lessons help in other parts of life, including film.
Why does this matter? Tennis builds focus, timing, and calm thinking. A match asks a player to plan, adjust, and move with purpose. Film work needs similar skills. A director must read a set the way a player reads a court. He must guide actors the way a doubles partner guides a rally. Billy’s sport background likely supports his work behind the camera.
First Steps in Film
Over time, Billy began to appear in film credits. Industry listings connect his name to holiday productions in 2023, such as Christmas Rescue and Favorite Son Christmas. These jobs help a young filmmaker learn how sets run, how departments work together, and how to finish on time. They are good training for larger goals.
“Bein’ Green”: Writing and Directing
Billy moved from helping on sets to leading a project. In 2025, the SOHO International Film Festival listed his short film Bein’ Green with him as director and screenwriter. The festival page confirms the key credits and shows the team behind it. A short film is a big step. It shows personal voice and craft. It also requires management skills: building a crew, finding locations, and working with actors.
What is the film about? The IMDb page for Bein’ Green gives a short summary: an audition where a director questions a young woman’s racial identity, pushing her to think about who she is and what she will change to fit in. This is a bold topic. It suggests Billy is interested in identity and fairness in the arts.
Sharing Progress in Public
Billy sometimes shares updates on social media. In late 2024, he posted that a film had wrapped, and he thanked his team. This kind of post gives fans and friends a window into his work. It also shows he values his crew and partners. Good leaders give credit. Film is teamwork, and gratitude builds strong sets.
Learning from Both Worlds
Having a famous parent can help and also make life hard. There may be doors that open, but there are also big expectations. Billy’s path shows steady work instead of loud headlines. He trained in a serious sport. He learned on professional sets. Then he moved into writing and directing his own piece. This is a patient way to grow.
Tennis likely gave him daily habits: train, review, improve. Film needs the same mix: write, shoot, edit, and try again. Many young filmmakers make shorts first. They test ideas, improve their voice, and meet other artists. Festivals help with that. A festival slot means people outside your circle will watch your work and give feedback. For a new director, that is very important.
A Note on His Parents’ Influence
It is fair to ask how his parents shaped him. Robin Givens knows acting and how to carry a story on screen. She also knows how the business works. Murphy Jensen knows the stress of a public life in sport and how to come back from hard times. He has spoken openly about recovery and later became a coach and co-founder of a health tech company in the recovery space. These are strong models: creative focus from his mother and resilience from his father.
Work Style and Themes
From what we can see, Billy shows care with people and topics. Bein’ Green touches on identity in the film world. That is a sensitive space. Handling it with respect needs listening, research, and trust on set. Also, the Instagram “wrap” post hints at gratitude. This is small, but it matters. Good sets feel safe and kind. People do their best work when they feel seen.
What To Watch Next
If you want to follow his path, there are a few useful links:
- Festival and film listings to see screenings and credits
- Tennis records to learn about his sport background
- Family background to understand the roots of both the Hollywood and tennis sides
- Social media when he shares project news
Closing Thoughts
William Givens Jensen has two worlds in his life: Hollywood and tennis. He learned from both. Tennis taught him focus and daily practice. Film gave him a way to tell stories and speak about identity and fairness. He now signs projects with his own name. He plays, writes, directs, and thanks his teams. For a young creative, this is a strong start. It is also a good example for anyone who wants to build a path: learn from your roots, train your skills, and then speak in your own voice.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who is William “Billy” Givens Jensen?
He is the son of actress Robin Givens and former tennis pro Murphy Jensen. He is also a filmmaker and a competitive tennis player. - When was he born?
He was born in October 1999. - What films is he linked to?
He wrote and directed the short film Bein’ Green, and he has credits tied to 2023 holiday films like Christmas Rescue and Favorite Son Christmas. - Did he play tennis?
Yes. The ITF lists “Billy Givens Jensen” as a player from the USA. - Where can I see updates about his projects?
He sometimes posts on Instagram, including a 2024 wrap note about a film project. - Is Bein’ Green a festival film?
Yes. The SOHO International Film Festival (2025) lists the film with Billy as director and writer. - What is Bein’ Green about?
It follows an actress who faces questions about her racial identity in an audition and thinks about how far she will change to fit in. - Did his family support college plans?
Media from 2018 showed his mother helping him look at colleges, which suggests a focus on education. - Why do people call him “Billy”?
“Billy” is a common short form for William; tennis and media pages use “Billy Givens Jensen.” - How do his parents’ careers shape his path?
He grew up around acting and top-level sport. This likely gave him discipline, public-facing skills, and a strong network as he began his own work in film.
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