Billy Dee Williams Movies
One of the most handsome leading men in Hollywood with his soulful brown eyes, neat, thick moustache, great physique, and natural poise, Billy Dee Williams was a major star during the 1970s, but his acting career dates back to 1947 when he debuted on the Broadway stage opposite German actress Lotte Lenya in the play The Firebrand of Florence. It was Williams' mother, an elevator operator at the Lyceum Theater where the play was produced, who brought him before the producers after she heard that they needed a child. As a teen, Williams studied drama at the prestigious High School of Music and Art in New York; he also studied at the National Academy of Fine Arts and then at the Harlem Actors Workshop where he was tutored by Sidney Poitier. As an adult, he returned to Broadway, but did not make his feature film debut until he landed a substantial supporting role in The Last Angry Man (1959). It would be a decade before Williams starred in another film. He made a favorable impression playing Gayle Sayers in the touching made-for-TV movie Brian's Song, but did not become a movie star until he appeared opposite Diana Ross in Lady Sings the Blues (1972). In 1975, the pair reteamed for the highly successful melodrama Mahogany (1975). At his popularity's peak, Williams was referred to as "the black Gable." Though he went on to star in other pictures throughout the decade, Williams' star was beginning to fade by 1980 until he played a dashing role in George Lucas' Star Wars sequel The Empire Strikes Back and its sequel, Return of the Jedi (1983). He was also particularly memorable as the district attorney in Tim Burton's Batman (1989). Through the '90s, Williams' career slowed, but for a few television movies in 1993, his appearances became sporadic. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
A cast of distinguished veterans and promising newcomers headline this stark prison drama from first-time writer-director Jordan Walker-Pearlman. Hill Harper stars as embittered inmate Alex, sentenced to serve time for a rape he claims that he didn't commit. His link to the outside world is his upper-middle class bother Tony (Obba Babatunde), the only family member who's come to visit him in the half-decade he's been in jail. On his latest visit, Alex pleads with Tony to have the rest of the family visit him, admitting that he's in the final stages of his battle with AIDS. Through flashbacks, dream sequences, and real-time encounters, Alex interacts with the people who have shaped his life -- his parents (Marla Gibbs and Billy Dee Williams), his old friend (Rae Dawn Chong), and his therapist (Phylicia Rashad) -- and attempts to overcome the seething anger and resentment that have punctuated his time in prison. The Visit was greeted with much acclaim when it premiered at the 2000 Method Fest Independent Film Festival. ~ Michael Hastings, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hill Harper, Obba Babatunde, (more)
- 1984
In this action-drama, a crack team of transport specialists try to stop terrorists from hijacking an armored van filled with plutonium. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Morgan Fairchild, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
A man who turns stool pigeon to win his freedom falls into a trap when he falls for the wrong woman in this thriller. T.C. Cooper (Michael Paré) is a thief who is doing a long stretch in prison. Oscar Pierce (Billy Dee Williams) is an FBI agent makes Cooper an offer -- if Cooper is willing to help him get the goods on jewel thief Jimmy Ray Danker (Patrick Bergin), he'll let Cooper free on parole. Cooper warily agrees to the offer, but Pierce warns him to tread lightly around Julia Summers (Ashley Laurence), Danker's girlfriend. Cooper earns Danker's trust and they become partners for a major heist, but despite Pierce's warning, Cooper finds himself becoming obsessed with the beautiful Summers, and she finds herself equally attracted to him. Soon, Danker is certain that Cooper has betrayed him with Summers, and Summers begins to suspect that Cooper will betray both her and her boyfriend by turning them in to the Feds. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Michael Paré, Billy Dee Williams, (more)
Daisy von Scherler Mayer (Madeline, Party Girl) directed this comedy, scripted by David C. Johnson (D.R.O.P. Squad), following the trajectory of a mismatched couple throughout the evening of a blind date in New York (but mostly filmed in Toronto). Extrovert Darlene "Woo" Bates (Jada Pinkett Smith of Scream 2) is one woman who's not afraid to take what she wants, and she has a notorious knack for turning men into mush. When Woo's psychic friend Celestrial (Girlina) predicts that the man of her dreams is about to enter her life, Woo doesn't believe it's true. Celestrial, however, is convinced that Woo is destined to meet a tall, debonair Virgo. Woo's cousin Claudette (Paula Jai Parker of Friday) and Claudette's boyfriend Lenny (Dave Chapelle of Con Air) plan to spend the night together but find themselves entertaining Woo instead. Fearing that his night alone with Claudette will be ruined, Lenny begs his best friend Tim Jackson (Tommy Davidson of Booty Call) to take Woo out -- even though shy, straight-laced law clerk Tim is the polar opposite of the sassy and brassy Woo. At first, Woo expresses disinterest in the matchmaking mismatch. But when she's told that Tim is a Virgo, she decides it's fate, jumps at the chance, and immediately heads for Tim's apartment. Meanwhile, Tim, who can't believe his luck, goes next door to his neighbor Darryl (LL Cool J of B.A.P.S.) for tips on romancing women. Darryl, who knows all the smooth moves, supplies Tim with incense, edible body oils, and a tape of sexy songs. When Woo arrives, Tim is completely smitten. Woo, however, discovers that Tim is anything but the sexy, spontaneous stud of her dreams. Finding Tim's pseudo-cool act totally transparent, she humiliates and teases him. They are just about to exit Tim's apartment when Tim gets a visit from three of his pals -- Frankie (Duane Martin of Getting Personal), Hop (Darrel M. Heath of B.A.P.S.), and Romaine (Michael Ralph of Do the Right Thing). The chauvinistic attitude of these guys irritates Woo, so she retaliates and freaks out the trio with wild, seemingly psycho behavior. Finally, the date gets underway. Woo and Tim arrive at a stuffy Italian restaurant, but Woo's behavior gets them thrown out. They go to a dance club, where Tim becomes the victim, punched out by Woo's ex-boyfriend. Woo likes a good laugh, and when Tim discovers the theft of his flashy new car, she finds this hilarious. "Maybe we could be having a good time, if you could control your psychotic mood swings," says Tim. And so it goes, straight on till morning. Billy Dee Williams portrays himself in a brief fantasy sequence. Daisy von Scherler Mayer is a native New Yorker who made film history when her movie Party Girl became the first feature film to premiere on the Internet (on June 3, 1995). ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Jada Pinkett Smith, Tommy Davidson, (more)
