Actors - Billy Dee Williams

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	Actors - Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams (born William December Williams Jr. on April 6 1937 in Harlem, New York) is an African American actor who for a period in the 1970s followed Sidney Poitier as the most popular black actor in American films.

Biography

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 was 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 A New Hope. He later reprised this role, when he lended his voice for the character in the 2002 video game Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast.

Williams appeared in numerous other films, most recently lending his voice to Oedipus (2004). 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
.

William's television work included a recurring guest-starring role on the short-lived show Gideon's Crossing. He was 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.

Trivia

On the television sitcom The Jeffersons, the character of Florence the maid (Marla Gibbs
) was a devout fan of Williams', referencing him several times during the course of the series. This culminated in an episode where the actor appeared as himself, only to have Florence not believe it was truly him - until he kissed her.

On the television sitcom That 70's Show, Williams had a surreal guest appearance as a pastor giving pre-marital advice to Eric and Donna. When Donna complained that Eric was obsessed with the recently-released Star Wars film, Williams' character was sympathetic to Eric, noting that the film was the "finest film of our time."

On the television sitcom Scrubs, Williams had a brief guest appearance as himself. He played the role of the godfather of JD's girlfriend, Julie. JD's friend and resident surgeon, Turk, idolizes Williams, and constantly calls him Lando. Williams corrects him by saying "Just call me 'Billy Dee'".

Has a twin sister

Has 4 children

Filmography

The Last Angry Man
(1959)
The Out-of-Towners
(1970)
Brian's Song
(1971)
The Final Comedown (1972)
Lady Sings the Blues
(1972)
Hit! (1973)
The Take
(1974)
Mahogany (1975)
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
(1976)
Scott Joplin (1977)
Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
Nighthawks (1981)
Marvin and Tige (1983)
Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983)
Fear City (1984)
Number One with a Bullet (1987)
Deadly Illusion (1987)
Batman (1989)
Secret Agent OO Soul (1990)
Driving Me Crazy (1991)
Giant Steps (1992)
Alien Intruder
(1993)
Steel Sharks (1996)
The Prince (1996)
Moving Target (1996)
Mask of Death (1996)
The Contract
(1998)
Woo
(1998) (Cameo)
The Visit
(2000)
The Ladies Man
(2000)
Very Heavy Love (2001)
Good Neighbor (2001)
The Last Place on Earth (2002)
Undercover Brother
(2002)
Oedipus (2004) (short subject) (voice)
Constellation (2005)

[ Visit the complete Wikipedia entry for Billy Dee Williams ]

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Actors - Billy Dee Williams

Biography

Trivia

Filmography

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