--- name: "Billy Dee Williams" canonical: "https://film.one/person/billy-dee-williams" fi1m_id: "billy-dee-williams" imdb_id: "nm0001850" tmdb_id: 3799 wikidata_id: "Q358345" roles: ["Actor"] born: "6 April 1937" reviewed_on_fi1m: 9 average_fi1m_score: 75 average_as: "actor" average_over: 6 updated: "2026-09-25T05:39:37.875902+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Billy Dee Williams ## Identity Billy Dee Williams - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/billy-dee-williams - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** billy-dee-williams - **IMDb ID:** nm0001850 - **TMDB ID:** 3799 - **Wikidata ID:** Q358345 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Dee_Williams, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q358345, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001850/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3799 Actor. Born 6 April 1937 in New York City, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 6 April 1937, New York City, New York, USA - **Active:** 1980–2019 - **Also known as:** 比利·迪·威廉斯, بیلی دی ویلیامز, William December Williams Jr., William December "Billy Dee" Williams Jr - **Titles on Fi1m:** 9: 6 acting, 3 other - **Frequently works with:** [Anthony Daniels](https://film.one/person/anthony-daniels.md), [Carrie Fisher](https://film.one/person/carrie-fisher.md), [Harrison Ford](https://film.one/person/harrison-ford.md), [Howard G. Kazanjian](https://film.one/person/howard-g-kazanjian.md), [Lawrence Kasdan](https://film.one/person/lawrence-kasdan.md), [Mark Hamill](https://film.one/person/mark-hamill.md) - **Average Fi1m score:** 75, as actor, over 6 titles - **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 92 (1), 1980s 81 (3), 2010s 71 (5) - **Fi1m against the critics:** 75 to 68 across 6 titles - **Score spread:** 2 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 1 under 60 - **Lead roles:** 0 of 4 acting credits billed first or second - **Genres:** Action 5, Adventure 4, Science Fiction 3, Animation 2, Comedy 2, Family 2 - **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films - **Box office:** $3,379m across 6 films with figures - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billy_Dee_Williams, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q358345, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001850/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/3799 ## Streaming the US now - **Disney+:** [*The Empire Strikes Back*](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md) (92), [*Return of the Jedi*](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md) (75) - **HBO Max:** [*Batman*](https://film.one/film/batman.md) (77), [*The Lego Batman Movie*](https://film.one/film/the-lego-batman-movie.md) (74) - **Amazon Prime Video:** [*I Am Not Your Negro*](https://film.one/film/i-am-not-your-negro.md) (85) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Billy Dee Williams > Billy Dee Williams gives confident men enough vulnerability to keep them interesting. We value the feeling beneath the polish, in the romantic leads as much as Lando Calrissian, though the repeated suave casting can make that feeling too easy to overlook. Billy Dee Williams looks comfortable in Lando Calrissian's cape. In *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), he makes the character's confidence appealing without making him seem invulnerable. We warmed to Lando because Williams lets some vulnerability show through the smooth assurance. Irvin Kershner's film makes its machinery frightening and gives us people worth worrying about, which suits an actor who can offer both charm and feeling. His ease is welcome amid all that danger. The romantic leading man had already proved himself in drama. In *Brian's Song* (1971), his performance as Gale Sayers brought national attention through emotionally grounded acting. Then *Lady Sings the Blues* (1972) paired him with Diana Ross and helped establish the romantic image. Their chemistry gives the polished manner feeling, and makes the attraction credible. Knowing that work helps explain why Lando feels like a person rather than merely a stylish supporting part. The two Lando films we have reviewed also show how much the surroundings matter. In *The Empire Strikes Back*, production designer Norman Reynolds gives Cloud City a character of its own without making the actors look incidental. John Williams's heavy military music makes the danger serious enough for the humour to offer relief, leaving room for Billy Dee Williams's lighter touch. Richard Marquand's *Return of the Jedi* (1983) is enjoyable when its creatures and chases have space, but the thin romance and overindulged Ewoks slow it down. Lando's return is welcome, though our stronger recommendation remains *The Empire Strikes Back*. The limitation is the recurring request for another suave man. Too much of that casting risks making an actor's choices look automatic, and the dramatic work gives us good reason to resist that judgement. The later roles include Harvey Dent in *Batman* (1989) and another appearance as Lando in *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), but there is more to seek out than the familiar characters. If Lando is all you know, try *Brian's Song* next. ## Biography Billy Dee Williams is an American actor, novelist and painter. Born William December Williams Jr. on 6 April 1937 in New York City, he made his film debut in 1959 in *The Last Angry Man*. He trained initially in art at the High School of Music & Art and the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design before pursuing acting, with early stage work including a Broadway debut at age seven. Williams is best known for portraying Lando Calrissian in the *Star Wars* films *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980) and *Return of the Jedi* (1983), reprising the role in *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019). Other notable credits include Gale Sayers in the television film *Brian's Song* (1971), Louis McKay in *Lady Sings the Blues* (1972) and a role in *Mahogany* (1975), both opposite Diana Ross, and Harvey Dent in *Batman* (1989). He has appeared in over 100 film and television roles across six decades. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, starwars.fandom.com, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (9) ### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these - *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), Fi1m 50, as Lando Calrissian — [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.md) - *The Lego Batman Movie* (2017), Fi1m 74, as Two-Face (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-batman-movie.md) - *The Lego Movie* (2014), Fi1m 83, as Lando (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-movie.md) - *Batman* (1989), Fi1m 77, as Harvey Dent — [page](https://film.one/film/batman.md) - *Return of the Jedi* (1983), Fi1m 75, as Lando Calrissian — [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md) - *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), Fi1m 92, as Lando Calrissian — [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md) ### Also credited (3) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited - *Quincy* (2018), Fi1m 63, as Self — [page](https://film.one/film/quincy.md) - *I Am Not Your Negro* (2017), Fi1m 85, as Self (archive footage) — [page](https://film.one/film/i-am-not-your-negro.md) - *The Conversation* (1974), Fi1m 92, as Man in Yellow Hat (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-conversation.md) ## Complete filmography (130) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *STZ* (2025), as Broadcaster (voice) - *LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy - Pieces of the Past* (2025), series, as Landolorian (voice) - *LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy* (2024), series, as Landolorian (voice) - *LEGO Star Wars Summer Vacation* (2022), as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *And Just Like That…* (2021), series, as Lawrence Todd - *LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special* (2020), as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker* (2019), as Lando Calrissian — Fi1m 50, [page](https://film.one/film/star-wars-the-rise-of-skywalker.md) - *Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?* (2019), series, as Billy Dee Williams (voice) - *Movie Sound Effects: How Do They Do That?* (2017), as Two-Face (voice) - *Batman Is Just Not That Into You* (2017), as Two-Face (voice) - *Dirty Dancing* (2017), as Tito - *The Lego Batman Movie* (2017), as Two-Face (voice) — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-batman-movie.md) - *LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures* (2016), series, as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises* (2016), series, as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *The Man in 3B* (2015), as Cain - *LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales* (2015), series, as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal* (2015), as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *Star Wars Rebels* (2014), series, as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *The Lego Movie* (2014), as Lando (voice) — Fi1m 83, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lego-movie.md) - *The Rebels* (2014), series, as Coach Paysinger - *LEGO Star Wars: The Yoda Chronicles* (2013), series, as Lindo Calrissian (voice) - *The High Fructose Adventures of Annoying Orange* (2012), series, as Sensei Carrot / Cucumber Referee (voice) - *Key & Peele* (2012), series, as Billy Dee Williams — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/key-and-peele.md) - *The Perfect Age of Rock 'n' Roll* (2011), as Ace Millstone - *Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode III* (2010), as Lando Calrissian / Teacher (voice) - *Barry Munday* (2010), as Lonnie Green - *3 Ways to Get a Husband* (2010), as William - *White Collar* (2009), series, as Ford / Bradford Toman - *Titan Maximum* (2009), series, as Adm. Bitchface (voice) - *Glee* (2009), series, as Andy Collins — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/tv/glee.md) - *Pitching Man: Satchel Paige Defying Time* (2009), as Narrator - *Fanboys* (2009), as Judge Reinhold - *Diary of a Single Mom* (2009), as Uncle Bo - *Robot Chicken: Star Wars Episode II* (2008), as Lando Calrissian / Man (voice) - *iMurders* (2008), as Robert Delgado - *Private Practice* (2007), series, as Henry - *General Hospital: Night Shift* (2007), series, Actor - *Constellation* (2007), as Helms Boxer - *Snoop Dogg's Hood of Horror* (2006), as Pastor Charlie - *Giraffes Can't Dance* (2006), Actor - *Mind of Mencia* (2005), series, Actor - *Robot Chicken* (2005), series, as Billy Dee Williams / Fudge Turnover (voice) - *Lost* (2004), series, as Billy Dee Williams — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/lost.md) - *The Maintenance Man* (2004), as Melven - *Epoch: Evolution* (2003), as Ferguson - *NCIS* (2003), series, as Leroy Jethro Moore — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/tv/ncis.md) - *Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa* (2003), as Narrator - *Half & Half* (2002), series, as Otis 'Omar Funk' Wright - *Street Time* (2002), series, as Charles White - *Undercover Brother* (2002), as Gen. Warren Boutwell - *The Last Place on Earth* (2002), as Dr. Davis - *Scrubs* (2001), series, as Billy Dee Williams - *The Visit* (2001), as Henry - *Good Neighbor* (2001), as Sgt. Paul Davidson - *The Ladies Man* (2000), as Lester - *Fear Runs Silent* (2000), as Sheriff Hammond - *18 Wheels of Justice* (2000), series, as Burton Hardesty - *The Contract* (1999), as Senator Harmon - *Hard Time* (1998), as Leo Barker - *The Hughleys* (1998), series, as Jerry Rose - *That '70s Show* (1998), series, as Pastor Dan - *The Fourth King* (1997), as Gasparre - *Steel Sharks* (1997), as Adm. Jim Perry - *The Prince* (1996), Actor - *Moving Target* (1996), as Detective Don Racine - *Mask of Death* (1996), as Agent Jeffries - *Triplecross* (1995), as Agent Oscar Pierce - *Falling For You* (1995), as Lieutenant Frank Lazaro - *Lonesome Dove: The Series* (1994), series, Actor - *Message from Nam* (1993), as Felix - *Percy & Thunder* (1993), as Ralph Tate - *Alien Intruder* (1993), as Commander Skyler - *Marked for Murder* (1993), as Capt. Jack Reilly - *The Jacksons: An American Dream* (1992), series, as Berry Gordy - *Giant Steps* (1992), as Slate Thompson - *Martin* (1992), series, as Billy Dee Williams - *Driving Me Crazy* (1991), as Max - *In Living Color* (1990), series, Actor - *Dangerous Passion* (1990), as Lou - *Secret Agent 00 Soul* (1990), as Secret Agent Zero - *Batman* (1989), as Harvey Dent — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/batman.md) - *The Return of Desperado* (1988), as Daniel Lancaster - *Deadly Illusion* (1987), as Hamberger - *A Different World* (1987), series, as Langston Paige - *Wiseguy* (1987), series, Actor - *Number One with a Bullet* (1987), as Det. Hazeltine - *Courage* (1986), as Bobby Jay - *Oceans of Fire* (1986), as Jim McKinley - *The Right of the People* (1986), as Mike Trainor - *North and South* (1985), series, as Francis Cardozo - *Double Dare* (1985), series, as Billy Diamond - *Marvin & Tige* (1985), as Richard Davis - *The Impostor* (1984), as Matthew Raines - *Fear City* (1984), as Al Wheeler - *Time Bomb* (1984), as Jake Calahan - *Classic Creatures: Return of the Jedi* (1983), as Narrator (voice) / Self - *Chiefs* (1983), series, as Tyler Watts - *Shooting Stars* (1983), as Douglas Hawk - *Return of the Jedi* (1983), as Lando Calrissian — Fi1m 75, [page](https://film.one/film/return-of-the-jedi.md) - *Nighthawks* (1981), as Matthew Fox - *Dynasty* (1981), series, as Brady Lloyd - *Children of Divorce* (1980), as Walter Williams - *SP FX: The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), as Lando Calrissian (archive footage) - *The Hostage Tower* (1980), as Clarence Whitlock - *The Empire Strikes Back* (1980), as Lando Calrissian — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-empire-strikes-back.md) - *Christmas Lilies of the Field* (1979), as Homer Smith - *Scott Joplin* (1977), as Scott Joplin - *The Bingo Long Traveling All-Stars & Motor Kings* (1976), as Bingo - *Mahogany* (1975), as Brian - *Carter's Army* (1975), as Pvt. Lewis - *The Jeffersons* (1975), series, Actor - *The Take* (1974), as Sneed - *The Conversation* (1974), as Man in Yellow Hat (uncredited) — Fi1m 92, [page](https://film.one/film/the-conversation.md) - *Hit!* (1973), as Nick Allen - *Lady Sings the Blues* (1972), as Louis McKay - *The Final Comedown* (1972), as Johnny Johnson - *The Glass House* (1972), as Lennox - *Brian's Song* (1971), as Gale Sayers - *Lost Flight* (1970), as Merle Barnaby - *The Out-of-Towners* (1970), as Clifford Robinson, Lost & Found Clerk - *The New People* (1969), series, Actor - *The Mod Squad* (1968), series, Actor - *Coronet Blue* (1967), series, as The Second Technician - *Mission: Impossible* (1966), series, as Hank Benton — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/mission-impossible-1966.md) - *The F.B.I.* (1965), series, as Edward Tobin, Nate Phelps, James Borden - *The Defenders* (1961), series, as Private Austin George - *The Last Angry Man* (1959), as Josh Quincy - *Star Wars Detours*, series, as Lando Calrissian (voice) - *Brown Sugar*, as Host - Narrator - *Dark Empire*, as Lando Calrissian ## Gallery - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-19f9fb10fd31.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/Billy_Dee_Williams_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/1280px-Billy_Dee_Williams_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Actor Billy Dee Williams at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is properly credi (2009)](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-940bd4724f89.jpg) Actor Billy Dee Williams at the Big Apple Convention in Manhattan. Photographed by Luigi Novi. This photo may only be used if the photographer is properly credi (2009) — Nightscream, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c5/10.18.09BillyDeeWilliamsByLuigiNovi1.jpg/1280px-10.18.09BillyDeeWilliamsByLuigiNovi1.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![A picture of actor and singer Billy Dee Williams, along with pictures of a satellite named after him, were displayed at the 2nd Space Operations Squadron floor ](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-0d98fcd66370.jpg) A picture of actor and singer Billy Dee Williams, along with pictures of a satellite named after him, were displayed at the 2nd Space Operations Squadron floor — Kathryn Calvert, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6e/191009-F-UM970-0006.jpg/1280px-191009-F-UM970-0006.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Dee Williams at the Florida Supercon in 2015](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-b0fb461f90ae.jpg) Billy Dee Williams at the Florida Supercon in 2015 — steve cranston, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Billy_Dee_Williams_%2819149986519%29.jpg/1280px-Billy_Dee_Williams_%2819149986519%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-0c0f95dbe7b5.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-43ff568132bd.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-b38bf239ed3a.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Dee Williams at the Florida Supercon in 2015](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-0ff3e7b5187e.jpg) Billy Dee Williams at the Florida Supercon in 2015 — steve cranston, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Billy_Dee_Williams_%2819330112102%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Billy Dee Williams (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-e815a3868ce2.jpg) Billy Dee Williams (2015) — GabboT, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Billy_Dee_Williams_%2821106353480%29.jpg/1280px-Billy_Dee_Williams_%2821106353480%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-784281f2d899.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-7d24803500b0.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Image via TMDB - ![Billy Dee Williams](https://film.one/media/person/102248/gallery-b64ac6d02f6b.jpg) Billy Dee Williams — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Other awards — 1 won - Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame 1984: Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame (won) *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/billy-dee-williams