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Billy Dee Williams Defends Actors Wearing Blackface: ‘If You’re an Actor, You Should Do Anything You Want to Do’

Billy Dee Williams says actors should be allowed to wear blackface because 'if you're an actor, you should do anything you want to do.'

In a new episode of Bill Maher’s “Club Random” podcast, the “Star Wars” actor recalled watching Laurence Olivier in 1965’s “Othello,” in which Olivier wore blackface for his portrayal of the title role. Portraits of a Life,” which follows his childhood growing up in Harlem to his career on Broadway and in Hollywood. The actor is known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the “Star Wars” universe, as well as the films “Brian’s Song” (1971), “Lady Sings the Blues” (1972) and “Mahogany” (1975).

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