Billy Dee Williams

William December Williams Jr., born April 6, 1937, is an American actor, novelist, and painter with a career spanning over six decades and more than 100 film and television appearances. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise and has also appeared in notable films such as Mahogany, Scott Joplin, and Nighthawks. Williams began his artistic journey early, making his Broadway debut at seven and later pursuing painting, even winning a Hallgarten Prize. He returned to acting to support his art, which has since been exhibited globally. His acting career gained significant momentum with his Emmy-nominated performance in the television movie Brian's Song, and he made history as the first Black actor with a major role in Star Wars. Williams has also had a prolific television career with numerous credits and has received multiple awards, including NAACP Image Awards and induction into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame.

Born William December Williams Jr. in New York City on April 6, 1937, his upbringing in Harlem was steeped in a rich, cultured environment. Exposed early to drawing, painting, and theatre by his opera-aspiring mother, Williams developed a deep appreciation for the arts. He made his Broadway debut at the age of seven in the operetta 'The Firebrand of Florence.' Although he initially dreamed of being a painter and attended the High School of Music & Art with a focus on visual arts, winning a scholarship to the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design and a Hallgarten Prize, he turned to acting as a means to fund his art supplies. This dual pursuit led him to explore acting methods like the Stanislavsky Method and study at the Harlem Actors Workshop under Paul Mann and Sidney Poitier. While acting initially served a practical purpose, by the early 1960s, Williams began dedicating his full energy to performance, securing major roles in Off-Broadway and on Broadway.

Williams' career gained significant traction with his role as Gale Sayers in the acclaimed 1971 television film 'Brian's Song,' which earned him an Emmy nomination and was described by him as a "breakthrough in terms of racial division." This success led to a contract with Motown and established him as a prominent Black film actor of the 1970s. He starred in popular films like 'Lady Sings the Blues' (1972), where his portrayal earned him the moniker 'the black Clark Gable,' and 'Mahogany' (1975). A pivotal moment arrived when he was cast as Lando Calrissian in 'The Empire Strikes Back' (1980), marking him as the first Black actor with a leading role in the Star Wars saga. He reprised this iconic character in subsequent films and related media. His acting repertoire also includes roles in 'Nighthawks' (1981) and as Harvey Dent in 'Batman' (1989).

Beyond his acting career, Williams has maintained his passion for painting, with his artwork being exhibited in galleries and collections worldwide. His artistic endeavors have always been a significant part of his life, even as his acting career flourished. He has continued to take on diverse roles across film and television, including recurring parts in series like 'Gideon's Crossing' and 'Dynasty,' as well as voice work in 'The Lego Batman Movie' (2017). His enduring impact has been recognized with numerous accolades, including three NAACP Image Awards, the NAACP Lifetime Achievement award, induction into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Williams' multifaceted career as an actor and artist continues to inspire, demonstrating a lifelong commitment to creative expression.

“LSD saved my life ... I wasn't doing it to get high. It let me get inside of myself.”

“I drink, you drink. Hell, if marijuana was legal, I'd appear in a commercial for it.”

“It was a love story, really. Between two guys. Without sex. ... It ended up being a kind of breakthrough in terms of racial division.”