News on your favorite shows, specials & more!
Billy Dee Williams Headshot

Billy Dee Williams

Birth Place: New York, NY, USA

read more news

Get Billy Dee Williams Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

BIO

Williams appeared on Broadway in 1945's The Firebrand of Florence and returned in 1960 in the play version of The Cool Word. He appeared in A Taste of Honey in 1961. A 1976 Broadway production, I Have a Dream, was directed by Robert Greenwald and starrEd Williams as Martin Luther King, Jr. His most recent Broadway appearance was in August Wilson's Fences, as a replacement for James Earl Jones in the role of Troy Maxson in 1988.



He rose to stardom after starring in the critically lauded blockbuster biographical TV movie, Brian's Song (1971), in which he played Chicago Bears star football player Gale Sayers, who stood by his friend Brian Piccolo (played by James Caan), during his struggle with terminal cancer. The film became so popular that it was given a theatrical release. Both Williams and Caan were nominated for Emmy Awards for best actor for their performances.

Williams became America's leading black film actor in the 1970s after starring in a string of critically acclaimed and popular movies. In 1972, starred as Billie Holiday's husband Louis McKay in Motown Productions' Holiday biopic Lady Sings the Blues. The film was a box office blockbuster, becoming one of the highest grossing films of the year and received five Academy Award nominations. Diana Ross starred in Lady Sings the Blues opposite Williams; Motown paired the two of them again three years later in the successful follow-up project Mahogany.
The early 1980s brought Williams the role of Lando Calrissian, which he played in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

The Mambo Kings The Mambo Kings
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 2005
Fernando Perez [Replacement]
Fences
[Broadway]
1987
Troy Maxson [Replacement]
I Have a Dream
[Broadway]
1976
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Hallelujah, Baby!
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1967
Clem [Replacement]
Tiger Tiger Burning Bright
[Broadway]
1962
Performer (Understudy)
A Taste of Honey
[Broadway]
1960
The Boy
The Cool World
[Broadway]
1960
Duke Custis

Writing


Movies

The Last Angry Man
[ 1959 ] Josh Quincy
The Out of Towners
[ 1970 ] Lost & Found - Boston
The Final Comedown
[ 1972 ] Johnny Johnson
Lady Sings the Blues
[ 1972 ] Louis McKay
Hit!
[ 1973 ] Nick Allen
The Take
[ 1974 ] Sneed
Mahogany
[ 1975 ] Brian Walker
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
[ 1976 ] Bingo Long P
Scott Joplin
[ 1977 ] Scott Joplin
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back
[ 1980 ] Lando Calrissian
Nighthawks
[ 1981 ] Matthew Fox
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi
[ 1983 ] Lando Calrissian
Marvin & Tige
[ 1983 ] Richard Davis
Fear City
[ 1984 ] Al Wheeler
Number One with a Bullet
[ 1987 ] Det. Hazeltine
Deadly Illusion
[ 1987 ] Hamberger
Batman
[ 1989 ] Harvey Dent
Secret Agent OO Soul
[ 1990 ] Secret Agent Zero
Driving Me Crazy
[ 1991 ] Max
Giant Steps
[ 1992 ] Slate Thompson
Moving Target
[ 1995 ] Detective Don Racine
Mask of Death
[ 1996 ] Agent Jeffries
The Prince
[ 1996 ] Jamie Hicks
Steel Sharks
[ 1997 ] Adm. Jim Perry
The Fourth King
[ 1997 ] Gparre
The Contract
[ 1999 ] Senator Harmon
The Visit
[ 2000 ] Henry
The Ladies Man
[ 2000 ] Lester
Very Heavy Love
[ 2001 ] Dante Brown
Good Neighbor
[ 2001 ] Sgt. Paul Davidson
The Last Place on Earth
[ 2002 ] Dr. Davis
Undercover Brother
[ 2002 ] General Warren Boutwell
Today Will Be Yesterday Tomorrow
[ 2003 ] Godot
Constellation
[ 2005 ] Helms Boxer
Hood of Horror
[ 2006 ] Ptor Charlie
iMurders
[ 2008 ] Robert Delgado
The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll
[ 2009 ] Ace Millstone
Fanboys
[ 2009 ] Judge Reinhold
Barry Munday
[ 2010 ] Lonnie Green
This Bitter Earth
[ 2012 ] Joe Watkins
Blood Lines
[ 2014 ] Judge Devi
The Lego Movie
[ 2014 ] Lando
The Man in 3B
[ 2015 ] Cain
The Lego Batman Movie
[ 2017 ] Two-Face
Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker
[ 2019 ] Lando Calrissian

TV Shows

227
Billy Dee Williams
18 Wheels of Justice
Burton Hardesty
Diary of a Single Mom
Uncle Bo
Dynasty
Brady Lloyd
General Hospital: Night Shift
Touissant DuBois, Toussaint DuBois, Toussaint Dubois
NCIS
Leroy Jethro Moore
The F.B.I.
James Borden, Nate Phelps, Edward Tobin
The Hughleys
Jerry Rose

Videos

More Video

News


Alison Arngrim to Bring CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH to Play Nashville Photo
Alison Arngrim to Bring CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH to Play Nashville

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE with ALISON ARNGRIM's CONFESSIONS OF A PRAIRIE BITCH in Nashville. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Review: SUPER FREAK: THE RICK JAMES STORY at National Theatre Photo
Review: SUPER FREAK: THE RICK JAMES STORY at National Theatre

Somewhere between touring tribute acts and high-gloss Broadway jukebox musical bios are the more modest regional  musicals created to nominally perform the hits of a legacy pop act, in costume, adding biographical details as a story arc.
NJPAC To Present BATMAN Live Concert With The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Photo
NJPAC To Present BATMAN Live Concert With The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Calling all Batman Fans! See 'Batman” live in concert with New Jersey Symphony Orchestra!
Schedule Announced For The 2023 CAPA Summer Movie Series At The Ohio Theatre, June 15 Photo
Schedule Announced For The 2023 CAPA Summer Movie Series At The Ohio Theatre, June 15- July 16

The CAPA Summer Movie Series, the longest-running classic film series in America, has announced the schedule for its 54th series of classic films and cult favorites. The 2023 series will run June 15-July 16 at the historic Ohio Theatre (39 E. State St.) and feature 19 films over five weeks.
NJPAC Announces New Classical Shows For 2023/24 Featuring Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bel Photo
NJPAC Announces New Classical Shows For 2023/24 Featuring Itzhak Perlman, Joshua Bell, And More

New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) and the Smart Family Foundation; David S. Stone, Esq., Stone & Magnanini has announced the 2023/24 Classical Performances.
VIDEO: Marlon Wayans & Jennifer Hudson Talk RESPECT on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW Photo
VIDEO: Marlon Wayans & Jennifer Hudson Talk RESPECT on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW

Former co-stars Jennifer Hudson and Marlon Wayans reveal what happened during their very first “Respect” table read and their different prep processes.  Then, Marlon brainstorms with Jennifer about their next film project, pitching themselves to star as Billy Dee Williams and Diana Ross. Watch videos from the interview now!
VIDEO: Disney+ Shares LEGO STAR WARS SUMMER VACATION Trailer Photo
VIDEO: Disney+ Shares LEGO STAR WARS SUMMER VACATION Trailer

“LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation,” which is set after the events of “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” features the voices of “Weird Al” Yankovic, Yvette Nicole Brown, Kelly Marie Tran, Anthony Daniels, Billy Dee Williams, and returning cast members from previous “LEGO Star Wars” specials, and includes a new song performed by “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Chicago Philharmonic to Present FANFARE CHICAGO Photo
Chicago Philharmonic to Present FANFARE CHICAGO

The Chicago Philharmonic Society will present its third of four concerts of its 32nd Season, Fanfare Chicago on March 27, 2022 at Harris Theater for Music and Dance (205 E Randolph, Chicago).
Suffolk Theater Presents Frankie Avalon Next Month Photo
Suffolk Theater Presents Frankie Avalon Next Month

If you can't remember a time when Frankie Avalon wasn't a part of your life, you aren't alone. This talented performer can look back on a career that spans three generations of music, motion pictures, and television – proclaimed a 'Teen Idol' and appearing on just about every top variety show, guest-starring on numerous dramatic series, and starring in several of his own specials.
New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of February 22 - 42ND STREET on DVD and Blu-Ra Photo
New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of February 22 - 42ND STREET on DVD and Blu-Ray, and More!

Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases!
Awkwafina, Debbie Allen & More Unite for FAME 40th Anniversary Fundraiser Photo
Awkwafina, Debbie Allen & More Unite for FAME 40th Anniversary Fundraiser

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the iconic film 'FAME,' Alumni & Friends of LaGuardia High School and the LaGuardia Parents Association, both 501(c)3 non-profit organizations, will co-host a virtual fundraiser to celebrate the legacy of this groundbreaking 1980 film that inspired millions.
New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of December 7 - THE PROM Soundtrack, and More! Photo
New and Upcoming Releases For the Week of December 7 - THE PROM Soundtrack, and More!

Need something new to read, watch, or listen to? Check out this week's list of new and upcoming releases! This week's list includes the soundtrack to the Netflix film adaptation of The Prom, new music from Jackie Burns, and more!
LADY SINGS THE BLUES Arrives on Blu-ray Feb. 23 Photo
LADY SINGS THE BLUES Arrives on Blu-ray Feb. 23

Diana Ross gives a tour-de-force debut performance as legendary singer Billie Holiday in the classic drama LADY SINGS THE BLUES, arriving on Blu-ray for the first time ever February 23, 2021 from Paramount Home Entertainment. 
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for the LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL Photo
VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for the LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Premiering Tuesday, November 17.
Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, & Anthony Daniels Join LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY S Photo
Kelly Marie Tran, Billy Dee Williams, & Anthony Daniels Join LEGO STAR WARS HOLIDAY SPECIAL

Disney+ is bringing together some of the brightest stars in the Star Wars galaxy for the ultimate holiday family reunion, the “LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special.”
EARTH TO NED From The Jim Henson Company Comes To Disney+ September 4 Photo
EARTH TO NED From The Jim Henson Company Comes To Disney+ September 4

On Friday, September 4, Disney+ will debut 10 episodes of its first original talk show “Earth to Ned,” produced by The Jim Henson Company and Marwar Junction Productions.  The fresh take on the late-night format stars larger-than-life extraterrestrial creatures Ned and Cornelius as they interview some of the biggest stars in our galaxy.
Sean Kanan to Host 11th Annual Indie Series Awards; Ceremony to go Virtual Photo
Sean Kanan to Host 11th Annual Indie Series Awards; Ceremony to go Virtual

Multitalented artist, filmmaker and author Sean Kanan will host the Indie Series Awards, producers announced today. The 11th Annual ISAs ceremony will be held Thursday, June 18, 2020, at 9:00 PM ET.
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER to Debut on Disney+ Two Months Early Photo
STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER to Debut on Disney+ Two Months Early

The final chapter of the Skywalker saga, “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” will begin streaming two months early on Disney+ in honor of “May the 4th,” affectionately known by fans around the world as “Star Wars Day.”
BWW Exclusive: The 101 Greatest MOVIE MUSICALS of All Time Photo
BWW Exclusive: The 101 Greatest MOVIE MUSICALS of All Time

BWW Reviewer Peter Nason chooses the best film musicals since the sound era began; see if your favorites made the list!
VIDEO: Watch the 'Honest Trailers' Take on STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER Photo
VIDEO: Watch the 'Honest Trailers' Take on STAR WARS: THE RISE OF SKYWALKER

Honest Trailers has released their take on the trailer for Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker!
More News

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Billy Dee Williams been in?

Billy Dee Williams has appeared on Broadway in 7 shows.

How many West End shows has Billy Dee Williams been in?

Billy Dee Williams has not appeared in the West End.

How many shows has Billy Dee Williams written?

Billy Dee Williams has written 1 shows including Cirque Dreams (Composer).

Get Billy Dee Williams Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos