Throwback Cinema Spotlight Vol. 5...Billy Dee Williams

Back in the 70's and early 80's...Billy Dee Williams was the premier African -American Leading Man. The Precursor to what Denzel Washington would become in the 90's and present time.

Billy Dee was born William December Williams, Jr. on 6th April 1937 in New York City, New York. 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 most famous role is Lando Calrissian, which he played in Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi. He later reprised this role, when he lent his voice for the character in the 2002 video game Star Wars Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast, as well as the audio dramatization of Dark Empire and the National Public Radio adaptation of Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back. Williams had originally auditioned for the role of Han Solo during the casting of Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. Billy Dee's influnce and early success
opened many doors for today's African -American Leading men in films.

To Read more on this Legend of Black Cinema , Click on " Throwback Cinema Spotlight Vol. 5...Billy Dee Williams" Located above... McLuvin is Out!!!!!!!!