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Billy Dee Williams, 87, tells Bill Maher that actors should be able to do Blackface while slamming 'victim' mentality: 'If you're an actor you should do anything you want'

Billy Dee Williams defended the right of actors to portray characters using Blackface while chatting with Bill Maher.

But the 68-year-old Real Time host — who allegedly refused to refrain from smoking pot for one episodes to interview the sober Steve-O — was shocked that Williams didn't seem to see any problem with modern actors appearing in Blackface in roles. Although the Olivier portrayal of Othello that tickled Williams so much was a hit with critics upon its 1965 release, and it garnered multiple Oscar nominations for the principal cast, it has become far more controversial in recent years. Williams is best known for playing Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars sequels The Empire Strikes Back (1980; pictured) and Return Of The Jedi (1983), but he has also had major roles in Lady Sings The Blues (1972), Mahogany (1975), Fear City (1984) and Alien Intruder (1993)

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