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Billy Dee Williams Biography

Billy Dee Williams, Actor
Born asWilliam December Williams Jr.
Occup.Actor
FromUSA
SpousesAudrey Sellers (1959-1963)
Marlene Clark (1968-1971)
Teruko Nakagami (1972)
BornApril 6, 1937
New York City, New York, USA
Age87 years
Early Life and Education
Billy Dee Williams, born as William December Williams Jr., was born on April 6, 1937, in New York City, U.S. Both his moms and dads were of African-American and West Indian descent. Williams was raised in Harlem, where his daddy worked as a caretaker and his mother was an elevator operator. He is not only an accomplished actor however also an artist and singer.

Williams was encouraged by his mother to pursue his interests in acting and painting, and at a young age, he started going to New York's High School of Music and Art. After finishing from high school, Williams continued his studies at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design.

Performing Career
Williams started his acting profession on phase and made his Broadway debut in 1945 in the production of "The Firebrand of Florence", where he was cast as a young teen. Ever since, he appeared in several phase productions such as "A Taste of Honey" and "The Cool World".

His movie profession removed in the 1950s and continued to progress in the 1960s with films like "The Last Angry Man" (1959), "The Out of Towners" (1970), and "Brian's Song" (1971). However, it was the role of Gale Sayers in "Brian's Song" that brought him widespread recognition and established him as a prominent African-American film star.

In 1972, Williams starred in "Lady Sings the Blues" opposite Diana Ross, which earned him a Golden Globe election for Best Actor. He continued to act in different films and television series throughout the 1970s, such as "Mahogany" (1975), likewise featuring Diana Ross, and "Nighthawks" (1981) together with Sylvester Stallone.

Nevertheless, Billy Dee Williams's most famous role came when he was cast as Lando Calrissian in the hugely effective "Star Wars" franchise. Williams first appeared as Lando in "Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back" (1980) and reprised the function in "Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi" (1983) and "Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker" (2019). He likewise lent his voice to the character in various animated series and computer game.

Painting and Art
Throughout his acting profession, Williams pursued his passion for painting. His artwork has been showcased in different galleries, and his pieces often show his African-American heritage. He has actually also worked as an art instructor at various institutions, consisting of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in Harlem, New York.

Personal Life and Relationships
Billy Dee Williams married 3 times. His very first wife, Audrey Sellers, brought to life their child, Corey, prior to the couple ultimately divorced. In 1968, he wed Marlene Clark, a fellow starlet, however their marriage ended after five years. His 3rd spouse, Teruko Nakagami, whom he married in 1972, brought to life their child, Hanako. Nakagami and Williams divorced in 1993, however later on fixed up and stay together.

His talented family includes his stepdaughter, Mia, who is an accomplished actress and daughter of Teruko from her previous marital relationship to musician Wayne Shorter.

Throughout his profession, Billy Dee Williams has truly exemplified adaptability and quality in both the world of movie and visual arts. Though he may be best known for his renowned role as Lando Calrissian, his contributions to the arts go beyond the galaxy far, far away.

Our collection contains 2 quotes who is written / told by Billy.

Related authors: Wayne Shorter (Musician), Diana Ross (Actress), Lawrence Taylor (Athlete), Sylvester Stallone (Actor), Ice T (Musician), Gale Sayers (Athlete)

Filmography:
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2 Famous quotes by Billy Dee Williams

Small: Originally I planned on starting a teapot collection. I really like them
"Originally I planned on starting a teapot collection. I really like them"
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Small: Failures not a bad thing. It builds character. It makes you stronger
"Failure's not a bad thing. It builds character. It makes you stronger"
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