“Star Wars” icon Billy Dee Williams has slammed liberal comedian Bill Maher, claiming that actors should be allowed to perform in “blackface.”
In Sunday’s episode, Podcast “Club Random”Williams spoke about his past friendship with acting legend Laurence Olivier.
He also pointed to Olivier’s Oscar-nominated performance as Othello in the 1965 film adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, in which Olivier famously wore black makeup, which director Marr said was “problematic.” There is,” he pointed out.
However, it wasn’t the black makeup that made Williams “smile.”
Bill Maher calls President Trump a ‘threat to democracy’ and slams Esper for not supporting Biden: ‘It’s a choice’
‘Club Random’ host Bill Maher was visibly shocked when Hollywood icon Billy Dee Williams insisted that actors should be allowed to wear ‘blackface’ received. (Screenshot/Club Random Studio)
“When he did ‘Othello,’ I started laughing,” Williams said. “He was walking around with his butt sticking out, his butt sticking out, because it’s normal for black people to have big butts.”
“Oh, I see,” Maher replied.
“I started laughing,” Williams laughed. “I thought it was hysterical! I love it! I love it! I love that kind of thing.”
Bill Maher calls for coronavirus commission: ‘powerful people’ won’t admit they were ‘wrong’
Laurence Olivier starred alongside Maggie Smith in the 1965 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello. (Screenshot/Warner Bros. Movie)
When Maher pointed out that in today’s showbiz world, “they would never let you do that,” Williams fired back.
“Why?” Williams asked.
“Blackface?!?” Maher responded, shocked.
“Why not?” Williams doubled down. “If you’re an actor, you should do whatever you want.”
“That’s a great vantage point, but the theater will be bombed,” Maher replied.
Bill Maher panics over Trump’s support with young voters: Biden may lose ‘because hot dogs are expensive’
Billy Dee Williams attends the European film premiere of Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker at Cineworld Leicester Square on December 18, 2019 in London, England. (WIktor Szymanowicz/NurPhoto, Getty Images)
The “Club Random” host pointed out how Williams, 87, survived an era of Hollywood discrimination when black actors were not “able to play the roles they were meant to play.” But Mr. Williams stood his ground.
“The key is not to go through life feeling like I’m a victim. In other words, I refuse to go through life saying to the world, ‘I’m angry.’ . I’m not going to be yelled at 24 hours a day,” Williams said.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Williams is best known for playing Lando Calrissian in the original Star Wars trilogy, and has more than 160 acting credits on IMDB dating back to 1959.
