Highlights
- Billy Dee Williams has been married three times and has children.
- In book promotion interviews, Williams discussed gender fluidity, dismissing gay rumors.
- Williams has had a remarkable career in Hollywood for over fifty years.
Billy Dee Williams, best known for portraying Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, has been a household name for decades. First gaining national recognition for the 1971 TV film, Brian's Song, Williams has enjoyed a remarkable career in entertainment. Throughout his career, the actor has been subject to numerous gay rumors, dating back to his early years.
In Williams' fashion, the beloved entertainer has addressed the rumors with class and clarity. In this article, we will touch on William's gay rumors, the relationships he has had, and his interactions with the LGBTQ+ community.
Who Has Billy Dee Williams Been In Relationships With?
Billy Dee Williams, for most of his career, has been known for his romantic appeal. As a result, fans have often been curious about his personal romances. More so, due to his flamboyancy, they have wondered if Williams is secretly gay.
Williams has been married three times, according to Distractify. From 1959 to 1963, he was married to Audrey Sellers. They had one son together. Williams later married Marlene Clark in 1968. They got divorced in 1971. Since 1972, the actor has been married to Teruko Nakagami. Their only child, daughter Hanako Williams, was born in 1973, according to Heightline. Through his children, Williams has multiple grandchildren.
According to Williams in an interview, "Well, I've been very lucky, very fortunate. I'm pretty content with my life and my offerings. Listen, I got a great family. Great kids, great grandkids. I had three wives."
There is no evidence to suggest that Williams has had gay relationships, based on his relationship history. However, he has spoken about gay rumors publicly.
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Crushes and affairs happened on the Star Wars set as well. Carrie Fisher and Harrison Ford were romantically linked , which Fisher ultimately regretted, during the filming of A New Hope. Ford and Williams reportedly have remained friends since working together on The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi.
Williams allegedly was unfaithful in some of his marriages, according to The Pink News. According to a People Magazine interview, "I'm intrigued with strong women, obviously, that gets me in trouble." Furthermore, he admitted that he was "a philanderer."
What Has Billy Dee Williams Said About The Gay Rumors?
According to PageSix, Billy Dee Williams admitted that "I've been called a 'Closet Queen.'" He elaborated by saying, "but, I don't pay much attention to that." Williams addressed gay rumors by sharing that he has interacted with people in the LGBTQ+ community throughout his career, but not romantically.
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Harrison Ford's first wife, Mary Marquardt, has dealt with health struggles since their divorce.Williams explained that he would have fun at gay parties in his early career, even though he identified as straight.
"It seemed all very normal to me. I was around it all of my life, so I never really gave it much thought." Williams openly discussed gender fluidity in an interview, according to PageSix.
"I think of myself as a relatively colorful character who doesn't take himself or herself too seriously. You see I say 'himself' and 'herself', because I also see myself as feminine as well as masculine. I'm a very soft person. I'm not afraid to show that side of myself."
After discussing feminity and how men can engage with their feminine side with his daughter, Williams shared that "then my daughter told me — the first time I ever heard the phrase —gender fluid. My daughter was very happy to think that I was gender fluid!"
The Star Wars legend elaborated more on his sexuality after the LGBTQ+ community commended him for discussing gender fluidity, according to NBC News.
"I was talking about men getting in touch with the female side of themselves. I wasn't talking about [intimacy], I wasn't talking about being gay or straight." He articulated the following:
"I'm not gay by any stretch of the imagination. Not that I have anything against gay people. But personally? Not gay."
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James Earl Jones missed out on a fortune because of a single decision he made during the production of Star Wars.Despite years of gay rumors, Billy Dee Williams confirmed the truth for fans. He is attracted solely to women and has had plenty of relationships throughout his life. Well into his eighties, Williams has been reflective of his personal life and career. In February 2024, Williams released his memoir, What Have We Here?: Portraits of a Life. Much of his commentary regarding the gay rumors came from book promotion interviews.
For fans, Billy Dee Williams is a living legend. His career in Hollywood has spanned more than fifty years, and he will forever be immortalized as Lando Calrissian. In 2019, to great fanfare, Williams returned to his iconic role in the film, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Williams' legacy on screen extends beyond Star Wars and Brian's Song, however. Other projects Williams is recognized for include:
- Mahogany
- Batman
- Nighthawks Scott Joplin
Williams, who portrayed Harvey Dent in Tim Burton's Batman (1989), was initially supposed to play Two-Face in the sequel film, but the creative direction for the film changed. Fortunately, Williams got to play the character in The Lego Batman Movie in 2017.
Despite Williams' controversial romantic lifestyle, he remains a respected figure in Hollywood. Perhaps the greatest testament to Williams' success is his longevity and relevance in the 21st century.
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