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

• CREDITS
• 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
• Television Appearances
• 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
• 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
• 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
• Specials
• ABC's Silver Anniversary--25 and Still the One, ABC, 1978
• 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
• 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
• Bugs Bunny/Looney Tunes All-Star 50th Anniversary, CBS, 1986
• Buck, Diana Ross ... Red Hot Rhythm and Blues, ABC, 1987
• Voices That Care, Fox, 1991
• Diamonds on the Silver Screen, American Movie Classics, 1992
• Guiding Light: The Primetime Special, CBS, 1992
• The NFL at 75: An All-Star Celebration (also known as NFL 75thAnniversary Special), ABC, 1995
• Nissan Presents a Celebration of America's Music, ABC, 1996
• An All Star Party for Aaron Spelling, ABC, 1998
• Motown 40: The Music Is Forever, ABC, 1998
• 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
• The Fourth Annual Soul Train Christmas Starfest, syndicated, 2001
• 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
• The Third Annual Trumpet Awards Ceremony, TBS, 1995
• (Uncredited) Himself, The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards,Independent Film Channel, 2001
• 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.
• 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
• Stage Appearances
• 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
• 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
• The Exonerated, John Drew Theatre, Guild Hall, East Hampton, LongIsland, NY, 2003
• RECORDINGS
• Videos
• Himself, The Stars of Star Wars: Interviews from the Cast, IMC Vision, 1999
• 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
• Video Games
• Voice of Lando Calrissian, Star Wars: Jedi Knight II--Jedi Outcast, LucasArts Entertainment, 2002
• Audiobooks
• Voice of Lando Calrissian, Star Wars: Dark Empire, 1997
• WRITINGS
• Teleplays
• Episodic
• (Story with Marla Gibbs) "Some Enchanted Evening," The Jeffersons,CBS, 1984
• 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

• Contemporary Black Biography, Volume 8, Gale, 1994

• Entertainment Weekly, March 21, 1997, p. 85; June 14, 2002, pp. 60-63
• TV Guide, November 29, 2003, p. 11