Billy Dee Williams is an American performer, author, and painter. Billy Dee Williams has acted in over 100 films and TV shows. You can also gain insight into his early life, artistic talents, and major accomplishments, such as being an Emmy nominee because of Brian’s Song.
| Real name | William December Williams Jr |
| Nick Name | Billy Dee Williams |
| Profession | Actor, performer, author, and painter |
| Well Known For | Star Wars franchise (Lando Calrissian), Mahogany, Scott Joplin, Nighthawks, Batman, and The Lego Batman Movie. |
Learn more about the age, career milestones, family, net worth, height, and all other facts that concern the life and career of Billy Dee Williams.
Early Life of Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams was born in New York City on April 6, 1937. His mother, Loretta Anne, was an elevator operator who wanted to be a performer, and his father, William December Williams Sr., was a caretaker. The family moved to Harlem, near the Central Park North–110th Street station, where Billy Dee would watch baseball games as a child.
Billy’s twin sister is Loretta. His grandmother raised him. Loretta introduced him to art, theatre, and music, igniting Billy Dee’s desire to delve into the arts. At seven years old, Belly appeared on Broadway, a role he later cited as boring but which launched his acting career.
He attended Booker T. Washington to become a painter. Later, he attended LaGuardia High School and graduated in 1955. Belly even won a painting scholarship but later turned to acting to support his painting habit.
The film A Taste of Honey brought Billy Dee to stardom. For ten years, Belly did extra work and small parts in theatre, TV, and film. Meanwhile, he studied acting at the Harlem Actors Workshop under Paul Mann and Sidney Poitier. In the early 1960s, he committed fully to acting and earned substantial credits on and off Broadway.
| Place of Birth | New York City |
| Date of Birth | December 6, 1939 |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Educated from | LaGuardia, National Academy |
| Parents | Loretta Anne and William December Williams Sr. |
| Siblings | Twin sister named Loretta |
Career life of Billy Dee Williams
Billy Dee Williams began on screen in The Last Angry Man in 1959 and thus started an acting career. He then went to Broadway in 1960 for The Cool World and A Taste of Honey. As much as this was an early success for Williams, the roles of Blacks were few and far between in the beginning. Frustrated, he turned to LSD for insight about himself but remained anti-drug otherwise.
In 1971, Williams exploded into stardom with Brian’s Song. Because of that play, Motown Berry Gordy signed her to a contract. Williams appeared in the hottest films of the early and mid-1970s. He was one of the decade’s largest superstars. His star was further solidified during 1980 and 1983 as he played Lando.
Williams also worked extensively in television in the 1990s, appearing in the television series Dynasty and The Jeffersons. He also made guest appearances in In Living Color and NCIS. Such is the power of a long career in keeping him tied to the fans.
Besides acting, Williams resumed painting in the late 1980s. Over two years, he painted 120 pieces, employing classic and modern techniques. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries across North America and are part of collections headed by the Schomburg Center. Williams recorded a jazz album in 1961, and during the 1990s, he contributed to the benefit single “Voices That Care.”
Social Media Accounts
Height, Age, Weight, Star Sign, and Net Worth
As of 2024, William December Williams Jr., popularly known as Billy Dee Williams, is 87. He measures about 6 feet 2 inches tall. His zodiac sign is Aries.
Billy Dee Williams is a successful actor, painter, and novelist. He has received several accolades, including three NAACP Image Awards. His net worth is $8 million, which shows his success in film, television, and art.
| Age | 87 years |
| Weight | 103 kg |
| Star Sign | Aries |
| Height | 6 feet 2 inches |
| Net Worth | $9 million |
Personal Life
Billy Dee Williams has three children and two grandchildren from his three marriages. In 1959, he married Audrey Sellers, later divorcing, which made him “very down” and “financially strapped.”They had only one child, Corey. Williams married Hawaiian actress and model Marlene in 1968. They legally divorced in 1971. That same year, Williams moved to California, and on December 27, 1972, he married Teruko. Williams’s daughter Hanako was born in 1973. Teruko had a little girl from her first marriage. They separated in 1993 but reunited by 1997.
Interesting Facts
- In 1961, he recorded a jazz album called Billy Dee Williams Sings.
- He later attended the Harlem Actors Workshop under Paul Mann and Sidney Poitier.
- Williams’s role as a gang leader in The Cool World was one of his early striking roles in 1960.
- He had a rough time earlier in his career when there weren’t many roles for Black actors. He briefly turned to LSD as a means of self-discovery.
- He has 18k followers on Facebook.
- 5408 followers on TikTok support him.
- He has 201k followers on Instagram.
- He made a wonderful guest appearance on The Jeffersons, starring Marla Gibbs.
- Honoured in 1985 as a star on the Walk of Fame.
- As performed by Williams, the iconic character of Lando Calrissian has made him one of the most lauded representations in movie history for his presence and charisma.
- During his career, he has been involved with many charitable activities and benefit events.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Billy Dee Williams?
He is a famous American actor, writer, and painter mainly known for his role as Lando Calrissian in Star Wars.
2. What is Billy Dee Williams’ star sign?
He is an Aries.
3. Name some of Billy Dee Williams’ well-known films and television serials.
Star Wars, Mahogany, Batman, Dynasty, and The Jeffersons.
4. What is Billy Dee Williams’ real name?
His real name is William December Williams Jr.
5. What are some career milestones known about Billy Dee Williams?
He gained fame with Brian’s Song and Star Wars and resumed painting in the late 1980s.
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