Biography
Moving freely between the gritty, street-level world of Blaxploitation and the dreamy realms of science fiction and comic book fantasy, Billy Dee Williams enjoyed a diverse five-decade career in legitimate theatre, television and cinema, often being called the "black Clark Gable. " A talented artist whose work went on to hang in museums around the world, Williams was compelled by poverty to turn his back on a potential career as a painter to …
Latest Tv Credits
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Career Milestones
2007 | Co-starred in the southern drama, "Constellation" | |
2002 | Lent his voice to the character Lando Calrissian for the video game "Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast" | |
2002 | Had small role in "Undercover Brother" | |
2000 | Had supporting role in "The Ladies Man" | |
2000 | Co-starred in the indie feature "The Visit"; received a Best Supporting Actor nomination from the Independent Spirit Awards | |
1999 | Co-starred with Lucky Vanous in The Nashville Network series "18 Wheels of Justice" | |
| Was commerical spokesperson for Colt .45 malt liquor | ||
1992 | Portrayed Motown Records founder Berry Gordy in the ABC miniseries "The Jacksons: An American Dream" | |
1991 | Had first solo art exhibition | |
1989 | Portrayed district attorney Harvey Dent in Tim Burton's "Batman"; was replaced by Tommy Lee Jones for the third installment, "Batman Forever" (1995) | |
1988 | Succeeded James Earl Jones in the role of Troy Maxon in the Broadway production of "Fences" by August Wilson | |
| Played recurring role of Brady Lloyd on "Dynasty" (ABC) | ||
1985 | Primetime series debut as regular on the short-lived CBS series "Double Dare" | |
1983 | Reprised his role as Lando Calrissian in "The Return of the Jedi" | |
1983 | Had pivotal role in the CBS miniseries "Chiefs" | |
1980 | Cast as Lando Calrissian in "The Empire Strikes Back" | |
1979 | Starred in the TV-movie "Christmas Lillies of the Field" (NBC); played role originated by Sidney Poitier in the feature | |
1977 | Played title role of ragtime musician "Scott Joplin" | |
1975 | Portrayed Dr. Martin Luther King Jr in the stage play "I Have a Dream" | |
1975 | Reteamed with Diana Ross as her love interest in "Mahogany" | |
1972 | Starred opposite Diana Ross in "Lady Sings the Blues" | |
1971 | Co-starred with James Caan in "Brian's Song" (ABC); earned Emmy nomination for his performance as football player Gale Sayers | |
1970 | TV-movie debut in "Carter's Army" (ABC) | |
| Appeared on the NBC daytime "Another World" as an assisant D.A. | ||
1967 | Broadway musical debut, replacing Robert Hooks in "Hallelujah, Baby!" | |
1966 | Had featured role as Dr. Jim Frazier on the CBS daytime drama "The Guiding Light" | |
1960 | First adult stage role in "The Cool World" | |
1959 | Film acting debut in "The Last Angry Man" | |
1945 | Stage acting debut opposite Lotte Lenya in "The Firebrand of Florence" | |
| Raised in Harlem section of NYC | ||
Awards
2001 | Independent Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male in The Visit |