Biography
William December "Billy Dee" Williams Jr. (born April 6, 1937) is an American actor, artist, and singer. He is best known as Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, first in the early 1980s, and nearly forty years later in The Rise of Skywalker (2019), marking one of the longest intervals between onscreen portrayals of a character by the same actor in American film history. He made his film debut in 1959 in The Last Angry Man starring Paul Muni, in which he portrayed a juvenile delinquent. His first big break was in the acclaimed television movie, Brian's Song in which he played Gale Sayers. In 1972 he played Billie Holliday's husband Louis McKay in Motown Productions' Holiday biopic Lady Sings the Blues. Diana Ross starred in Lady Sings the Blues opposite Williams; Motown paired the two of them again three years later in Mahogany. His work has earned him numerous awards and honors including three NAACP Image Awards, and the NAACP Lifetime Achievement award. He was inducted into the Black Filmmaker's Hall of Fame in 1984, and earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1985.
Acted in 125
2020s
- 2025
STZ
Broadcaster (voice)
- 2024
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
2010s
- 2019
- 2017
Movie Sound Effects: How Do They Do That?
Two-Face (voice)
Batman Is Just Not That Into You
Two-Face (voice)
- 2016
- 2015
Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal
Lando Calrissian (voice)
- 2014
The Rebels
Coach Paysinger · 1 episode
- 2013
- 2012
- 2011
The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll
Ace Millstone
- 2010
Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III
Lando Calrissian / Teacher (voice)
3 Ways to Get a Husband
William
2000s
- 2009
Diary of a Single Mom
Uncle Bo
- 2008
iMurders
Robert Delgado
- 2007
General Hospital: Night Shift
TV
Constellation
Helms Boxer
- 2006
Giraffes Can't Dance
Movie
- 2005
Mind of Mencia
TV
- 2004
The Maintenance Man
Melven
- 2003
Epoch: Evolution
Ferguson
- 2002
The Last Place on Earth
Dr. Davis
- 2001
- 2000
The Ladies Man
Lester
1990s
- 1999
The Contract
Senator Harmon
- 1998
Hard Time
Leo Barker
- 1997
- 1996
Mask of Death
Agent Jeffries
- 1995
Triplecross
Agent Oscar Pierce
Falling For You
Lieutenant Frank Lazaro
- 1994
Lonesome Dove: The Series
TV
- 1993
Message from Nam
Felix
Percy & Thunder
Ralph Tate
Alien Intruder
Commander Skyler
Marked for Murder
Capt. Jack Reilly
- 1992
Giant Steps
Slate Thompson
- 1991
Driving Me Crazy
Max
- 1990
Secret Agent 00 Soul
Secret Agent Zero
1980s
- 1989
- 1988
The Return of Desperado
Daniel Lancaster
- 1987
Deadly Illusion
Hamberger
- 1986
Oceans of Fire
Jim McKinley
The Right of the People
Mike Trainor
- 1985
Double Dare
Billy Diamond · 7 episodes
Marvin & Tige
Richard Davis
- 1984
The Impostor
Matthew Raines
Time Bomb
Jake Calahan
- 1983
Chiefs
Tyler Watts · 3 episodes
Shooting Stars
Douglas Hawk
- 1981
- 1980
Children of Divorce
Walter Williams
SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back
Lando Calrissian (archive footage)
The Hostage Tower
Clarence Whitlock
1970s
- 1979
Christmas Lilies of the Field
Homer Smith
- 1977
Scott Joplin
Scott Joplin
- 1976
The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings
Bingo
- 1975
Mahogany
Brian
Carter's Army
Pvt. Lewis
- 1974
The Take
Sneed
- 1973
Hit!
Nick Allen
- 1972
Lady Sings the Blues
Louis McKay
The Final Comedown
Johnny Johnson
- 1971
Brian's Song
Gale Sayers
- 1970
Lost Flight
Merle Barnaby
1960s
- 1969
The New People
TV
- 1968
- 1967
Coronet Blue
The Second Technician · 1 episode
- 1966
- 1965
- 1961
1950s
- 1959
The Last Angry Man
Josh Quincy
No release date
Dark Empire
Lando Calrissian
Star Wars Detours
Lando Calrissian (voice) · 1 episode
Appearances43
2020s
- 2024
- 2023
Clear Lines of Sight: Sidney J. Furie at Paramount
Himself
- 2022
- 2021
- 2020
The Skywalker Legacy
Self
2010s
- 2019
Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge - Adventure Awaits
Self
- 2018
- 2017
- 2015
- 2012
2000s
- 2009
Pitching Man: Satchel Paige Defying Time
Narrator
- 2008
Shadows of the Bat: The Cinematic Saga of the Dark Knight
Self
- 2005
Merry F#%$in' Christmas
Self
Black in the 80s
Self · 3 episodes
- 2004
When Star Wars Ruled the World
Self
- 2003
Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa
Narrator
- 2002
It's Black Entertainment
Self
1990s
- 1998
Woo
Himself
- 1997
Star Wars: The Magic & the Mystery
Self
Afro Promo
Self (archive footage)
- 1993
- 1991
Voices That Care
Self - Choir Member
1980s
- 1986
Looney Tunes 50th Anniversary
Self
- 1985
Night of 100 Stars II
Self
- 1983
Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi
Narrator (voice) / Self
Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever
Self
- 1982
1960s
- 1961
No release date
Brown Sugar
Host - Narrator