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Billy Dee Williams




Billy Dee Williams (born '''William December Williams Jr.''' on April 6 1937 in Harlem, New York ) is an African American Actor who for a period in the 1970s followed Sidney Poitier as the most popular Black actor in American films.


BIOGRAPHY


His first big break was in the acclaimed Television Movie , '' Brian's Song '' in which he played Gale Sayers . His next hit came in 1973 when he played Louis McKay in '' Lady Sings The Blues ''.

Arguably, his most famous role was '', as well as the audio dramatization of '' Dark Empire ''.

Williams appeared in numerous other Films , most recently lending his voice to '' Oedipus '' ( 2004 ). His last major film role was in 1989 's '' Batman '' as District Attorney Harvey Dent. Williams originally took the role knowing that it would land him in a sequel playing the Supervillain Two Face , but the studio did not use him when the time came for the third installment, '' Batman Forever ''.

William's television work included a recurring guest-starring role on the short-lived show Gideon's Crossing . He was also well-known for his appearance in Advertisements for Colt 45 , a low-cost brand of Malt Liquor .

In January 1996 , Williams was arrested for physically abusing his girlfriend during an argument.


TRIVIA


  • On the television sitcom '' The Jeffersons '', the character of Florence the maid ( Marla Gibbs ) was a devout fan of Williams', referencing him several times during the course of the series. This culminated in an episode where the actor appeared as himself, only to have Florence not believe it was truly him - until he kissed her.


  • On the television sitcom '' That '70s Show '', Williams had a surreal guest appearance as a pastor giving pre-marital advice to Eric and Donna. When Donna complained that Eric was obsessed with the recently-released '' Star Wars '' film, Williams' (who had played the role of Lando Calrissian in the film's later sequels) character was sympathetic to Eric, noting that the film was the "finest film of our time."


  • On the television sitcom '' Scrubs '', Williams had a brief guest appearance as himself. He played the role of the godfather of JD's girlfriend, Julie. JD's friend and resident surgeon, Turk, idolizes Williams, and constantly calls him Lando. Williams corrects him by saying "Just call me 'Billy Dee'".


  • Has a twin sister


  • Has 4 children



FILMOGRAPHY


'', in which Williams played Brady Lloyd.]]



BOOKS

  • PSI/Net (1999), ISBN 0312867662

  • JUST/In Time (2001), ISBN 0812572408

  • Twilight: A Novel (2002), ISBN 0312879091




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