Billy Dee Williams defends actors wearing ‘blackface’: According to him, as an actor, ‘you should be able to do anything’

In a recent episode of Bill Maher’s ‘Club Random’ podcast, actor Billy Dee Williams expressed his support for performers wearing ‘blackface’, stating that actors should have the freedom to perform in blackface. Williams highlighted Laurence Olivier’s performance in ‘Othello’ wearing blackface, which he found amusing and enjoyable.

During the podcast, Williams shared his admiration for Olivier’s portrayal of ‘Othello’ in blackface, stating, “He stuck his a** out and walked around, you know, because Black people are supposed to have big a**es. I thought it was hysterical. I loved it.” Williams further emphasized his support for such performances, stating, “I love that kind of stuff.”

When questioned about the controversy surrounding blackface performances, Williams defended the practice, stating, “Why not? You should do it. If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.” Maher pointed out that Williams lived during a time when he couldn’t play certain roles, to which Williams responded, “The point is that you don’t go through life feeling like, ‘I’m a victim.’”

Williams, known for his iconic role as Lando Calrissian in the ‘Star Wars’ universe, as well as other films like ‘Brian’s Song’, ‘Lady Sings the Blues’, and ‘Mahogany’, has been vocal about his views on acting and political correctness. The actor’s statements have sparked a debate on the portrayal of blackface in performances and the boundaries of artistic expression.

As discussions around cultural appropriation and representation continue to evolve, Williams’ stance on performers wearing blackface raises important questions about the limits of artistic expression and the impact of historical context on modern interpretations of performances. Stay tuned for further developments on this controversial topic.