ACTOR · BORN 1937
Billy Dee Williams
- Born
- 6 April 1937, New York City, New York, USA
- Known for
- The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Return of the Jedi (1983), Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019), Batman (1989)
25 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
9 Facts About Billy Dee Williams' Life and Family
- #003
Billy Dee Williams never gave up his passion for painting and still actively adds color to his canvases today. Some of his works are shared with art lovers in his online gallery, while he has held solo exhibitions in various cities across the United States. His works have entered permanent collections at prestigious institutions such as the National Portrait Gallery, the Smithsonian Institution and the Schomburg Museum. He has also made a visual contribution to the music world by designing the covers of Thelonious Monk Competition programs since 1990.
- #007
Billy Dee Williams has a twin sister named Loretta Williams. Being twins created a special bond between them. Although Williams rarely shares this detail about his family, his relationship with his twin sister is one of the few known facts about his private life. Such family ties lay bare the human side of famous figures.
- #011
Billy Dee Williams's family reflects America's diverse cultural fabric. His father was from Texas, while his mother came from the Caribbean island of Montserrat. These origins carry traces of diversity in Williams's identity and art. The actor has often stated that he is proud of this heritage. His family's story is also important for understanding his place in American society.
- #012
Billy Dee Williams has two children: Corey Dee Williams (born 1960) and Hanako Williams (born 1973). Corey followed in his father's footsteps and took up acting, appearing in various productions. Hanako, meanwhile, has led a more private life. Williams always kept his relationship with his children at the forefront and played an active role in raising them. Family ties became one of the most valuable elements of his life.
- #016
Billy Dee Williams was arrested by police after his girlfriend, with whom he was living in Los Angeles, accused him of assaulting her. Williams faced a charge of cohabitant abuse and was released on $50,000 bail. The incident reflects a difficult period in the actor's private life. Detailed information about the legal proceedings was not made public, but such news reminds us how complicated the lives of famous figures can be.
- #020
Billy Dee Williams's son, Corey Dee Williams, graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1978. His stepdaughter Miyako also attended the same school and was in the 10th grade at the time of Corey's graduation. This detail shows the importance the Williams family placed on education and that the children were close in age. Corey later followed in his father's footsteps and turned to an acting career.
- #022
Billy Dee Williams was born on the same day as country music legend Merle Haggard. Fans of the two artists often point out this coincidence. Williams was born on April 6, 1937, and Haggard was born on the same date in 1937. Both became iconic figures in their respective fields. This shared birthday can be read as an intersection of their fates.
- #024
Billy Dee Williams is the uncle of the actor Larry Riley. Larry Riley was a name known for television series and films in the 1980s. Being Williams's nephew is an indication of the family's interest in the arts. Riley appeared in various productions until his early death in 1992. This kinship shows how strong family ties in Hollywood can be.
- #025
Billy Dee Williams has two grandchildren named Lucie Katsumi and Finnegan Ichiro. The Japanese-origin names of his grandchildren reflect the family's cultural diversity. Williams has said that he greatly enjoys spending time with his grandchildren. These family ties stand out as one of the most important sources of happiness in his life.
Sources & editorial notes
Reference databases
Sources for the entries on this page
- IMDb IMDb
Information from external sources is independently selected, consolidated and edited by Arka Evren. Sources are listed for verification and further reading. Encyclopedia text is used under its licence (CC BY-SA). How we work