Billy Dee Williams

For many, Billy Dee is Lando Calrissian from the Star Wars saga. He had humble beginnings as an actor, pulling double duty and working at the same time to support himself. In 1945, Billy Dee made his first appearance as a child actor in The Firebrand of Florence. Williams attended Booker Washington Junior High School, where he dreamed of becoming a painter.

He also received a scholarship to the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design, which meant he didn’t need student loans. After the stage, he debuted on the big screen in the film The Last Angry Man in 1959. What made him popular was his role in the TV film Brian’s Song, for which he was nominated for an Emmy. In recent years, Billy Dee competed in Dancing with the Stars and continues to attend fan conventions.