Was an accomplished art student even before his acting career began. Has had professional gallery showings where his oil canvases have sold for tens of thousands of dollars.

Originally auditioned for the role of Han Solo in 1976.

He still actively paints, and some of his work can be seen at his online gallery. He has had solo exhibitions in various galleries around the United States, and his work hangs in the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Schomburg Museum. The beautiful covers of the Thelonious Monk Competition programs since 1990 are by him.

He accepted the role of D.A. Harvey Dent in Batman (1989) with the knowledge and expectation that Dent would eventually become Two-Face; he reportedly had a clause put into his contract reserving the role for him in any sequels, which Warner Bros. had to buy out so they could cast Tommy Lee Jones.

He and actress/singer Diahann Carroll were classmates at the New York City High School of the Performing Arts, the school that was featured on the popular television series Fame (1982).

Has a twin sister, Loretta Williams.

Is one of three actors, along with Anthony Daniels and Mark Hamill, to reprise their same roles from the original Star Wars trilogy in the NPR radio dramatizations of the trilogy.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1521 Vine Street in Hollywood, California on March 27, 1985.

Studied art at both New York's High School of Music and Art and at the National Academy of Fine Arts and Design.

Has two children: Corey Dee Williams (b. 1960) and Hanako Williams. (b. 1973).

Inducted into the International Mustache Hall of Fame in 2015 (inaugural class) in the category Film & Television.

His father was from Texas, and his mother was from Montserrat, an island in the Caribbean.

Inducted into the Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame in 1984.

Was cited as one of the most promising movie personalities of 1973 in John Willis' 1974 Film Annual "Screen World" book.

In addition to playing Lando Calrissian in the original Star Wars trilogy, he played the part in the NPR radio dramatization of "The Empire Strikes Back" (1983). However, he was not available to reprise the role for "Return of the Jedi" (1996).

Was arrested in Los Angeles after police received a call from his live-in girlfriend accusing him of battery. Williams was charged with cohabitational abuse and released on $50,000 bail. (January 30, 1996)

The character Walter "Doc" Hartford from the animated space opera The Adventures of the Galaxy Rangers (1986) was based on him.

Has appeared in the music video and sang in the choir on the song "Voices That Care".

Friends with Marla Gibbs.

Judging the movies by their earliest release date, Williams' thirty six-year gap between playing Lando Carlrisian is a record for the longest time between playing the same character. Beating Gene Kelly as Danny McGuire {Cover Girl - Xanadu} by 64 days.

Has a son named Corey Dee Williams, who graduated from North Hollywood in 1978. Stepdaughter Miyako also attended same high school and was in the 10th grade when Corey graduated.

The movie Com-TAC 303 starring Billy Dee Williams, Greg Morris, Chad Everett, and Henry Fonda, began filming Jul 25, 1977, in the Mojave Desert, but shut down several weeks later when financing was withdrawn by the studio.

Uncle of Larry Riley.

Born on exactly the same date as country-western legend Merle Haggard.

Grandfather of Lucie Katsumi, and Finnegan Ichiro.