Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams is an American actor and artist. Best known as Lando Calrissian in the original Star Wars trilogy, Williams' first major role was Gale Sayers in the 1971 television movie Brian's Song.
Fast Facts
- Full name: William December Williams, Jr.
- Born: April 6, 1937
- Birth Place: New York, New York
- Education: the School of Music and Art, New York (now known as Fiorello LaGuardia High School) and the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design, New York 1
- Has a twin sister named Loretta
- Has been married three times: Audrey Sellars, Marlene Clark and Teruko Nakagami
- Has four children: Corey, Miyaka, Camera and Hanako 2
Early Life
Billy Dee Williams grew up in Harlem, New York. With both parents working, his father as a maintenance man and his mother as an elevator operator, his West Indian maternal grandmother lived with the Williams family to help raise him and his twin sister, Loretta.3
Although Williams gained worldwide celebrity for his role in the second Star Wars film, he actually began his acting career primarily to support his art. In a 1980 People Magazine article, Williams was quoted as saying, "When I needed money for paint and canvases, I would do some TV work."4
Career Highlights
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