Billy Dee Williams recently revealed that he doesn't have a problem with actors wearing blackface. In conversation with Bill Maher on Bill's Club Random podcast, the 87-year-old actor spoke highly of Laurence Olivier's performance in the 1965 version of Othello. Laurence Olivier wore blackface for the film. "When he did Othello, I fell out laughing," Billy said on the podcast.
"He stuck his a– out and walked around because Black people are supposed to have big a–es," Billy continued.
Bill pointed out how things have changed since then. “Here’s the thing: today, they would never let you do that,” Bill said.
"Why?" Billy asked.
Bill seemed surprised by Billy's response, and replied with, "Blackface?!"
But even then, Billy defended the portrayal of Othello from almost 60 years ago. "He should do it," Billy said, adding, "If you're an actor you should do anything you want to do."
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“As an actor, whatever you think you can do, you should be able to do it," Billy continued.
Bill pointed out that Billy "actually lived in a period where you couldn’t do that, where you couldn’t play the part you should’ve played."
Billy acknowledged that, but said "it didn't matter."
“Of course it happened but the fact is, you discuss it. The point is, that you don’t go through life feeling like, 'I’m a victim,'" he continued. "I refuse to go through life saying to the world, ‘I’m p—ed off.’ I’m not gonna be p—ed off 24 hours a day.”
