William December Williams, better known as Billy Dee Williams (born April 6, 1937), is an actor best known for playing Lando Calrissian in Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, and Star Wars: Episode IX The Rise of Skywalker.
Biography[]
In 1976, he auditioned for the role of Han Solo, during the casting of Star Wars. Although he didn't get the role, he was eventually cast as Lando Calrissian in the two follow-up films The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
Williams guest-starred on That '70s Show as a pastor. When counseling Eric and Donna, Eric continually made Star Wars references to which the pastor replied, "Star Wars is one of the greatest films ever made." He guest-starred on Scrubs as the godfather of J.D.'s love interest in the episode. Turk called him Lando all throughout the episode, much to the annoyance of Williams. In 2014, he appeared on two episodes of Dancing with the Stars, in which he and a partner danced to Meco's version of the Star Wars theme.
Star Wars works[]
Sources[]
- The Jedi Master's Quizbook
"Star Wars 10th Anniversary Convention!!" – The Lucasfilm Fan Club Magazine 1- Billy Dee Williams: The Life and Times of Lando Calrissian on Hyperspace (content removed from StarWars.com; backup link)
- "Assistant of the Empire" – Star Wars Insider 147
- "Classic Moment: Lando's Second Surprise" – Star Wars Insider 152
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga: The Official Collector's Edition
Notes and references[]
- ↑
Shakespeare meets Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Your Fan Art, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- ↑
Billy Dee Williams (@realbdw) on Twitter: "@ericgeller yes it is... But glad we can talk about it now! Very excited to be part of this project!" (screenshot)
