Known for portraying the role of Lando Calrissian in the Star Wars franchise, Billy Dee Williams has garnered attention not only for his acting career but also for discussions about his personal life. In a 2019 interview with Esquire, Williams sparked speculation about his s*xuality by expressing that he identifies with both feminine and masculine qualities. His statement led many to believe that Williams might identify as gender fluid.
However, the actor has denied such claims in his new memoir, What Have We Here, affirming that he only likes women while recalling the incident when the late movie star Marlon Brando flirted with him.
Billy Dee Williams Recalled a Flirtatious Conversation With Marlon Brando
Embodying the lover boy persona in movies like Lady Sings the Blues and Mahogany, Billy Dee Williams has been no stranger to romantic attention throughout his Hollywood journey, as the actor revealed in his new memoir, What Have We Here.
“I’ve been getting hit on all my life,” he says in his book, as per People, before adding, “Gay, straight, whatever, somebody’s always hitting on me.” Even the iconic actor Marlon Brando found himself taken by Williams’ charm, engaging in a flirtatious conversation with him during a house party that he joined with his friend James Baldwin.
Williams revealed that The Godfather actor joined him alone in the library, where he sensed that he was attempting to make advances toward him. However, the Good Neighbor star politely declined his advances, saying, “I’m not into guys.” Debunking any rumor about his s*xuality, the actor said, “I prefer women.”
Billy Dee Williams also explained that he has been surrounded by “gay people” throughout his life. He also shared that the late writer James Baldwin, who he described as “dearest friend,” was also gay. While he clarified that he does not have anything against gay people, the 86-year-old actor has also affirmed that he is not gay.
Billy Dee Williams’ Comments Ignite Speculation About His S*xuality
Rumors and specualtions surrounding Billy Dee Willams’ s*xuality started after his 2019 interview with Esquire. During the interview, The Empire Strikes Back actor spoke candidly about his perception of gender and self-expression, saying,
“And 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.”
His statements in the interview sparked specualtions about his s*xual orientation, with many interpreting it as his expression of queer identity. However, Williams later clarified his remarks in an interview with CBS, emphasizing that he was not even aware of the term “gender fluid” until these discussions started.
“Well, first of all, I asked last night. I said, ‘What the hell is gender fluid?’ That’s a whole new term,” he said. He further explained that in the Esquire interview he was talking about was about men getting in touch with their softer side of themselves. “So, that’s what I was referring to,” he said before adding, “I wasn’t talking about being gay or straight.” Despite his clarification, the initial speculation surrounding his s*xuality has continued to generate interest.
Billy Dee Williams’ What Have We Here?: Portraits of A Life will be available on February 13, 2024.
