There is no doubt that most of you reading this know the name mentioned in the title of this post very well, especially fellow Star Wars fans. At the reading of it, it’s probably fair that not much more need be said. I mean, it’s Lando Calrissian, right !?!?!?!?!?!?

Well, YES, even Billy Dee would say so, yet also, so much MORE!

His was another, awe inspiring, entrance to the main stage. Derek, his friend and stage companion for nearly 25 years primed the crowd with a promise of revisiting the card game that “lost Lando the Millennium Falcon” with a special fan before the panel was over. The excitement from the audience generated a tangible buzz as we all held our breath, in unison, waiting for the words…

“Ladies and Gentleman, Billy Dee Williams” (and the crowd went wild)!!!!!

It would have been really easy to imagine his to be a swagger filled entrance, perhaps with a cape flowing behind him but Billy Dee made his way from the side stage to his chair very calculated and careful. He is 86 and in those moments he put one foot in front of the other, all the timelessness we place on the characters we love met humanness and stood still to the applaud of the crowd.

“My life has always revolved around art” He states as begins to tell us how his love for painting got him into the acting world. Simply put, he needed something to fund his art supply shopping with! Billy Dee’s work can be seen in several galleries and he also had prints available at his convention booth, to which he encouraged the audience to stop by and ask more questions throughout the weekend.

His vibrant spirit shone brightly with each question that was asked. It’s evident that he has a career that he loves and has enjoyed, though he will not choose a favorite body of work. It’s all been important.

A continued peek into an actors life, again, reveals that we, the audience, are the ones who give the weight/height/longevity to the stories/characters. There is a massive amount of gratitude for the job (and it’s impact on the audience) but it is just that, a job. Actors live to bring stories/characters to life and then move on to the next project, to do the same thing all over again. They love to work!

I’m still amazed at how very few actors watch their own work.

“I’ve never really been satisfied with anything I do.” Williams states. Perhaps that’s a mark of a true artist, always seeking to improve oneself and one’s craft.

It can’t be denied, however, that he positively beamed with pride about the fact that he has voiced Lando Calrissian in “everything” that’s been made with that character in it, so far!!! So, maybe he’s just a little proud of bringing that character to life 😉

Eighty-Six is a lifetime y’all and I can’t fathom all the things Billy Dee Williams has seen/done. He HAS put it into his own words though and you can read all about it here.

It was a privilege to be a part of the audience, to get to see Mr. Williams, to be marveled, amazed and humbled by the shared experience. An actor’s life song is in the work that they do and they will keep working as long as they can! They deserve to be supported now, more than ever!!

If there’s an event/convention near you that Billy Dee is attending, we highly encourage you to go and visit him (Derek will likely be there too!).

Until next time, May The Force be with you 🙂 🙂 🙂