What is Billy Dee Williams’ net worth and salary?

Billy Dee Williams, an actor, singer and TV pitchman, has a net worth of $9 million. He is best known for his roles in popular movies such as “The Empire Strikes Back,” “Return of the Jedi,” and “Batman.”

Early Life and Education

Billy Dee Williams was born in New York City in 1937 to Loretta Anne and William December Williams Sr. He was primarily raised by his grandmother while his parents worked multiple jobs. Williams and his twin sister were exposed to theater, art, and other creative experiences at an early age. He graduated from LaGuardia High School of Music & Performing Arts in 1955 with a focus on visual arts. Williams then received a two-year scholarship for the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design in New York where he studied painting. He was nominated for a Guggenheim Fellowship grant at 19 and won a Hallgarten Prize in the mid ’50s. He also studied at the Harlem Actors Workshop under Sidney Poitier.

Billy Dee Williams’ Career Highlights

Billy Dee Williams began his career as a stage actor at age seven and made his film debut in 1959’s “The Last Angry Man.” He became well known after starring in the popular TV movie “Brian’s Song” in 1971. His breakout role came in 1980 when he played Lando Calrissian in “The Empire Strikes Back,” and he reprised the role in “Return of the Jedi” and “The Rise of Skywalker.”

Williams also starred in the 1981 thriller “Nighthawks” alongside Sylvester Stallone. He was originally cast as Harvey Dent in the 1989 film “Batman,” but the role was given to Tommy Lee Jones in the sequel. Williams eventually voiced Two-Face in the 2017 film “The Lego Batman Movie.”

TV Work of Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams had a recurring guest-starring role on “Gideon’s Crossing” and played Brady Lloyd in the 1984-1985 season of “Dynasty.” He was also paired with Marla Gibbs in three sitcoms: “The Jeffersons,” “227,” and “The Hughleys.” In 1992, he portrayed Berry Gordy in “The Jacksons: An American Dream” and made a guest appearance on the spin-off to “The Cosby Show, A Different World” in 1993. Williams also appeared as himself on “Martin” and made a special guest appearance on the sketch comedy show “In Living Color” in 1990.

Williams portrayed Pastor Dan in “That ’70s Show” and also appeared in “Scrubs,” “General Hospital,” “Titan Maximum,” and “The Boondocks.” He guest-starred on USA’s “White Color” in February 2011 and made a cameo as himself on “Modern Family” in 2013. In 2014, Williams competed on the 18th season of “Dancing with the Stars” but had to withdraw from the competition after week three due to an injury to his back.

Billy Dee Williams’ Diverse Career

Billy Dee Williams has had a successful career in film and television, but has also found success in other industries. He has appeared in commercials for Colt 45 malt liquor and has been a featured guest at science fiction conventions for his iconic role of Lando Calrissian. In the late ’80s, Williams focused on painting and has since recorded a jazz LP entitled “Let’s Misbehave” and written two books, “PSI/Net” and “JUST/In Time.”

Personal Life of Billy Dee Williams

Billy Dee Williams was married three times. His first marriage was to Audrey Sellers in 1959, with whom he had one son named Corey Dee Williams. They later divorced. In 1968, he married Marlene Clark, but they divorced in 1971. He then married Teruko Nakagami in December 1972, and they have a daughter named Hanako. They filed for divorce in 1993 but reconciled and were living together again by 1997.

In January 1996, Williams was arrested for allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, who was not identified publicly. He posted a $50,000 bail and later agreed to undergo 52 counseling sessions as part of a plea bargain.

Billy Dee Williams’ Beverly Hills Home

Billy Dee Williams purchased a large property in Beverly Hills in 1984 for $553,000. He listed the home for sale in 2011 for $4.5 million, but eventually sold it for $2.8 million.

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