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Billy Dee Williams (born William December Williams Jr. on April 6, 1937 in
Harlem) is an African American actor who for a period in the 1970's followed
Sidney Poitier as the most popular black actor in American films.
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Background
His first big break was in the acclaimed television movie, Brian's Song in
which he played Gale Sayers. His next hit came in 1973 when he played Louis
McKay in Lady Sings the Blues.
Arguably, his most famous role is Lando Calrissian in the epic science
fiction film series, Star Wars ; the character made appearances in The
Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi. He originally auditioned for the
role of Han Solo, however, during the casting of Star Wars.
Williams has appeared in numerous other films, most recently in
Constellation (2005). His last major film role was in 1989's Batman as
district attorney Harvey Dent. Williams originally took the role knowing
that it would land him in a sequel playing the supervillain Two Face, but
the studio did not use him when the time came for the third installment,
Batman Forever. Many fans were disappointed with that decision, believing he
would have been superior in the role.
William's television work includes a recurring guest-starring role on the
short-lived show Gideon's Crossing. He is also well-known for his appearance
in advertisements for Colt 45, a low-cost brand of malt liquor.
In January 1996, Williams was arrested for physically abusing his girlfriend
during an argument.
Williams is also a prolific artist.
Williams has been quoted as saying that Lando was greatly misunderstood as a
character. After the second film was released, kids who recognized Williams
when he went to pick up his daughter after school would accuse him of being
evil for betraying Han Solo, despite the questionable, most likely immoral
life Solo led. In truth, Lando was probably the more honorable of the two
characters, given that he only betrayed Solo in order to save the many
innocent civilians who lived in Cloud City and were in danger of being
destroyed by the Empire, and also that he was unaware of the full extent of
Darth Vader's plans. It is believed by many that Lando was meant to act as a
surrogate for Han Solo in the third film (in case Harrison Ford chose not to
reprise the part), providing the sardonic foil to the noble Luke Skywalker
and Princess Leia. |
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BILLY DEE WILLIAMS PICTURES |
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MOST POPULAR
Angelina Jolie
Jessica Alba
Paris Hilton
Scarlett Johansson
Jessica Simpson
Britney Spears
Christina Aguilera
Lindsay Lohan
Shakira
Beyonce
Hilary Duff
ADDITIONS
Miley Cyrus
Rihanna
Hayden Panettiere
Miranda Cosgrove
Selena Gomez
Demi Lovato
Vanessa Hudgens
Ashley Tisdale
Jonas Brothers
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