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Theatre, Film, and Television Biographies
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Titus Welliver to Peter Wingfield
Billy Dee Williams Biography (1937-)
Original name, William December Williams, Jr.; born April 6, 1937, in New York, NY; son of William December (a janitor) and Loretta (an elevator operator)Williams; married Audrey Sellers (divorced); married Marlene Clark (an actress), 1960s (divorced); married Teruko Nakagami, c. 1973; children: Miyaka, Hanako, Corey, Camera. Addresses: Agent: Jimmy Cota, Artists Agency, 10000 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 305, Los Angeles, CA 90067.; Manager: Brad Kramer, Kramer Management, 5699 Kanan Rd., Suite 275, Agoura Hills, CA 91301.
- Nationality
- American
- Gender
- Male
- Occupation
- Actor, painter, writer
- Birth Details
- April 6, 1937
- New York, New York
Famous Works
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CREDITS
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Film Appearances
- Josh Quincy, The Last Angry Man, Columbia, 1959
- Clifford Robinson, The Out-of-Towners, Paramount, 1970
- Johnny Johnson, The Final Comedown (also known as Blast!),New World, 1972
- Louis McKay, Lady Sings the Blues, Paramount, 1972
- Nick Allen, Hit!, Paramount, 1973
- Sneed, The Take, Columbia, 1974
- Brian Walker, Mahogany, Paramount, 1975
- Bingo Long, The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings,Universal, 1976
- Title role, Scott Joplin, Universal, 1977
- Lando Calrissian, The Empire Strikes Back (also known as Star Wars: Episode V--The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1980
- Detective sergeant Matthew Fox, Nighthawks (also known as Hawks), Universal, 1981
- Lando Calrissian, Return of the Jedi (also known as Star Wars:Episode VI--Return of the Jedi and Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi), Twentieth Century-Fox, 1983
- Richard Davis, Marvin and Tige (also known as Like Father and Son), Major, 1983
- Al Wheeler, Fear City (also known as Border and Ripper), Chevy Chase Distribution, 1984
- Detective Frank Hazeltine, Number One with a Bullet, Cannon, 1987
- Hamberger, Deadly Illusion (also known as I Love You to Death and Love You to Death), Cinetel, 1987
- District attorney Harvey Dent, Batman, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1989
- Max, Driving Me Crazy (also known as Trabbi Goes to Hollywood), Motion Picture Corporation of America, 1991
- Secret agent Zero, Secret Agent 00 Soul (also known as Secret Agent Double-0 Soul), 1991
- Slate Thompson, Giant Steps, 1992
- Commander Skyler, Alien Intruder, PM Home Video, 1993
- Admiral Perry, Steel Sharks, Royal Oaks Entertainment, 1996
- Jamie Hicks, The Prince, Curb Entertainment, 1996
- Detective Don Racine, Moving Target, A-pix Home Video, 1997
- (Uncredited) Himself, Woo, New Line Cinema, 1998
- Senator J. Harmon, The Contract, 1998
- Sheriff Hammond, Fear Runs Silent, MTI Home Video, 1999
- Henry Waters, The Visit, Shoreline Entertainment/Urbanworld Films,2000
- Lester, The Ladies Man (also known as The Ladies' Man), Paramount, 2000
- Dante Brown, Very Heavy Love, Visage Productions, 2001
- Sergeant Paul Davidson, Good Neighbor (also known as The KillerNext Door), Creative Light Worldwide, 2001
- Dr. Davis, The Last Place on Earth, 2002
- General Boutwell, Undercover Brother, Universal, 2002
- Helms Boxer, Constellation, Shoreline Entertainment, 2004
- Voice of bartender, Oedipus (short film), Mama's Boy Productions/Gamblers Run, 2004
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Television Appearances
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Series
- Dr. Jim Frazier, Guiding Light, CBS, 1966
- Assistant district attorney, Another World (also known as Another World: Bay City), NBC, c. 1967
- Brady Lloyd, Dynasty, ABC, 1984-1986
- Billy Diamond, Double Dare, CBS, 1985
- Burton Hardesty, 18 Wheels of Justice, The National Network, 2000-2001
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Miniseries
- Tyler Watts, Chiefs, CBS, 1983
- Berry Gordy/Joshua Cole, The Jacksons: An American Dream (also known as The Jackson Five), ABC, 1992
- Felix, Message from Nam (also known as Danielle Steel's "Message from Nam"), NBC, 1993
- Francis Cardozo, Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III (also known as John Jakes' Heaven & Hell: North & South, Book III and North and South III), ABC, 1994
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Movies
- Merle Barnaby, Lost Flight, 1969
- Lewis, Carter's Army (also known as Black Brigade), ABC, 1970
- Gale Sayers, Brian's Song, ABC, 1971
- Lennox Beach, The Glass House (also known as Truman Capote's "The Glass House"), CBS, 1972
- Homer Smith, Christmas Lilies of the Field, NBC, 1979
- Clarence Whitlock, The Hostage Tower (also known as Alistair MacLean's The Hostage Tower), CBS, 1980
- Walter Williams, Children of Divorce, NBC, 1980
- Matthew Raines, The Imposter, ABC, 1984
- Bobby Jay, Courage, CBS, 1986
- Jim McKinley, Oceans of Fire, CBS, 1986
- Mike Trainor, The Right of the People, ABC, 1986
- Daniel Lancaster, The Return of Desperado (also known as Desperado: A Town Called Beauty), NBC, 1988
- Lou, Dangerous Passion, ABC, 1990
- Captain Jack Reilly, Marked for Murder (also known as Hard Time and The Sandman), NBC, 1993
- Ralph Tate, Percy & Thunder, TNT, 1993
- Agent Oscar Pierce, Triplecross, Showtime, 1995
- Lieutenant Frank Lazaro, Falling for You, CBS, 1995
- Agent Jeffries, Mask of Death, HBO, 1996
- Gasparre, Il quarto re (also known as The Fourth King,
Die 4 heiligen Koenige, and Die heiligen vier Koenige), 1996
- Leo Barker, Hard Time, 1998
- Ferguson, Epoch: Evolution (also known as Torus), Sci-Fi Channel, 2003
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Specials
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ABC's Silver Anniversary--25 and Still the One, ABC, 1978
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A Celebration at Ford's Theatre, CBS, 1978
- Lando Calrissian, SPFX: The Empire Strikes Back, 1980
- Himself, Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever (also known as Motown 25), 1983
- Host, Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi, CBS, 1983
- Host, Eubie Blake: A Century of Music, PBS, 1983
- Host, "Cougar!," ABC Weekend Specials, ABC, 1984
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Night of 100 Stars II (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), ABC, 1985
- Host and narrator, Brown Sugar: Eighty Years of Black Female Superstars, PBS, 1986
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Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes All-Star 50th Anniversary, CBS, 1986
- Buck, Diana Ross ... Red Hot Rhythm and Blues, ABC, 1987
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Voices That Care, Fox, 1991
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Diamonds on the Silver Screen, American Movie Classics, 1992
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Guiding Light: The Primetime Special, CBS, 1992
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The NFL at 75: An All-Star Celebration (also known as NFL 75thAnniversary Special), ABC, 1995
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Nissan Presents a Celebration of America's Music, ABC, 1996
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An All Star Party for Aaron Spelling, ABC, 1998
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Motown 40: The Music Is Forever, ABC, 1998
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Nissan Presents: The Second Annual Celebration of America's Music,ABC, 1998
- Host, A Tribute to Muddy Waters, King of the Blues, PBS, 1999
- Himself, Canned Ham: The Ladies Man, Comedy Central, 2000
- Himself, It's Black Entertainment, Showtime, 2000
- Presenter, VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin--A BenefitConcert for VH1 Save the Music Foundation, VH1, 2001
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The Fourth Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2001
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Awards Presentations
- Presenter, The 50th Annual Academy Awards, 1978
- Himself, The American Film Institute Salute to Henry Fonda, CBS, 1978
- Himself, The 30th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards, 1978
- Presenter, The Third Annual Soul Train Music Awards, syndicated, 1989
- Presenter, The Walt Disney Company Presents the American Teacher Awards, The Disney Channel, 1994
- Presenter, The Ninth Annual Genesis Awards, The Discovery Channel,1995
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The Third Annual Trumpet Awards Ceremony, TBS, 1995
- (Uncredited) Himself, The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards,Independent Film Channel, 2001
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Episodic
- Private Austin George, "Survival," The Defenders, CBS, 1964
- Patrolman Cash, "The Witnesses," The Nurses, ABC, 1965
- Second technician, "Six Months to Mars," Coronet Blue, CBS, 1967
- Edward Tobin, "Eye of the Storm," The F.B.I., ABC, 1969
- Heath, "The Prisoner of Bomano," The New People, ABC, 1969
- Nate Phelps, "The Sanctuary," The F.B.I., ABC, 1969
- James Borden, "The Architect," The F.B.I., ABC, 1970
- Hank Benton, "The Miracle," Mission: Impossible, CBS, 1971
- "The Manufactured Man," Dan August, ABC, 1971
- Himself, "Me and Billy Dee," The Jeffersons, CBS, 1978
- Guest, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, NBC, 1984, 1991
- Himself, "Washington Affair," 227, NBC, 1986
- Billy Dee Hasbro, "Play It Again, Stan," 227, NBC, 1989
- Himself, "Laquita Meets Billy Dee," In Living Color, Fox, 1990
- Jesse Hains, "Changing Houses," Wiseguy, CBS, 1990
- Guest, Late Night with David Letterman, NBC, 1991
- Himself, "The Breakup: Part 3," Martin, Fox, 1993
- Langston Paige, "College Kid," A Different World, NBC, 1993
- Aaron Grayson, "Down Come Rain: Part 2," Lonesome Dove: The Series, syndicated, 1994
- Aaron Grayson, "O Western Wind: Part 1," Lonesome Dove: The Series, syndicated, 1994
- Jerry Rose, "Roots: Part 2," The Hughleys, ABC, 1999
- Lennie Trebant, "Darkness Visible," Promised Land, CBS, 1999
- Dr. Jim Graham, "Laura's Story," Code Name: Eternity (also known as Code: Eternity), syndicated, 2000
- Dr. Jim Graham, "Never Go Home," Code Name: Eternity (also known as Code: Eternity), syndicated, 2000
- Himself, "Brian Piccolo," SportsCentury, ESPN, 2001
- Himself, "James Caan: Making a Scene," Biography, Arts and Entertainment, 2001
- Clark Boies, "Filaments & Ligatures," Gideon's Crossing, ABC,2001
- Clark Boies, "The Others," Gideon's Crossing, ABC, 2001
- Clark Boies, "Prodigal Dad," Gideon's Crossing, ABC, 2001
- Jerry Rose, "Forty Acres and a Fool," The Hughleys, UPN, 2001
- Guest, The Big Breakfast, Channel 4 (England), 2001
- Charles White, "Born to Kill," Street Time, Showtime, 2003
- Charles White, "Pack of Rats," Street Time, Showtime, 2003
- Otis "Omar Funk" Wright, "The Big Fetish What You Started Episode," Half & Half, UPN, 2004
- Pastor Dan, "Baby Don't You Do It," That '70s Show, Fox, 2004
- Also appeared in episodes of The Interns, CBS; The Mod Squad, ABC; and Police Woman, NBC.
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Pilots
- Dan Gardner, Crisis, CBS, 1968
- David Arnold, Higher and Higher, Attorneys at Law, CBS, 1968
- Douglas Hawke, Shooting Stars, ABC, 1983
- Wes Tanner, Time Bomb, NBC, 1984
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Stage Appearances
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Firebrand of Florence, Alvin Theatre (now Neil Simon Theatre), NewYork City, 1945
- Duke Custis, The Cool World, Eugene O'Neill Theatre, New York City, 1960
- The boy, A Taste of Honey, Lyceum Theatre, New York City, 1960-1961, then Booth Theatre, New York City, 1961
- Understudy, Tiger, Tiger Burning Bright, Booth Theatre, 1962-1963
- Robert, Blue Boy in Black, Masque Theatre, New York City, 1963
- Junie, Happy Ending, and John, Days of Absence (double-bill), St. Mark's Playhouse, New York City, 1965
- Clem, Hallelujah, Baby! (musical), Martin Beck Theatre, New York City, 1967-1968
- Willy Lee Irons, The Firebugs, Martinique Theatre, New York City,1968
- Theopolis Parker, Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, Pocket Theatre, NewYork City, 1969
- Randall, Slow Dance on the Killing Ground, Sheridan Square Playhouse, New York City, 1970
- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I Have a Dream, Ford's Theatre, Washington, DC, 1975, then Ambassador Theatre, New York City, 1976
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Night of 100 Stars II (also known as Night of One Hundred Stars), Radio City Music Hall, New York City, 1985
- Troy Maxon, Fences, Forty-Sixth Street Theatre, New York City, 1988
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The Exonerated, John Drew Theatre, Guild Hall, East Hampton, LongIsland, NY, 2003
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RECORDINGS
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Videos
- Himself, The Stars of Star Wars: Interviews from the Cast, IMC Vision, 1999
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Music Videos
- "I Wonder Who She's Seeing Now," by the Temptations, c. 1987
- "Liberian Girl," by Michael Jackson, 1989
- "Voices That Care," 1991
- "When You Get Home," by Montell Jordan, 1998
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Video Games
- Voice of Lando Calrissian, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II--Jedi Outcast, LucasArts Entertainment, 2002
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Audiobooks
- Voice of Lando Calrissian, Star Wars: Dark Empire, 1997
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WRITINGS
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Teleplays
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Episodic
- (Story with Marla Gibbs) "Some Enchanted Evening," The Jeffersons,CBS, 1984
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Novels
- (With Rob MacGregor) PSI/Net, Tor Books, 1999
- (With MacGregor) Just/In Time, Tor Books, 2000
- (With Elizabeth Atkins Bowman) Twilight, Forge, 2002
Further Reference
OTHER SOURCES
Books
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Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 8, Gale, 1994
Periodicals
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Entertainment Weekly, March 21, 1997, p. 85; June 14, 2002, pp. 60-63
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TV Guide, November 29, 2003, p. 11