Billy Dee Williams was an M&A Graduate

When most people think of Billy Dee Williams, they think of his deep voice and suave manners. His career spans radio, Broadway, television and his paintings hang in the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian Institution and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture. 

He was born William December Williams, April 6, 1937 and lived on 2125 West 110th Street in New York City. When he was a chubby little kid of 12 years old, he dreamed of being like Rudolph Valentino (the silent screen movie idol). With aspirations of becoming a famous painter, Billy Dee graduated from the High School of Music & Art in 1955. He then attended the National Academy School of Fine Arts and Design in New York, taking acting jobs to pay for his art supplies. In the early 60’s he devoted his energies to acting.

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From 1955 M&A Yearbook

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Billy Dee is most famous for the roles he played in Brian’s Song, Lady Sings The Blues, Mahogany, Dynasty and of course, as the intergalactic entrepreneur and rogue Lando Calrissian in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi from the Star Wars film series.

"Lando Calrissian" from Star Wars movie series

"Gale Sayers" from Brian's Song (standing next to the real Sayers).

"Brady Lloyd" from Dynasty (standing next to Diahann Carroll)

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Another - Did You Know?

Billy Dee Williams', ​twin sister, Loretta Williams, also graduated from the High School of Music & Art in 1955, the same year that Billy Dee did.

From 1955 M&A Yearbook

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Paintings by Billy Dee Williams

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