Did audiences know who Billy Dee Williams was before he appeared as Lando in Empire Strikes Back? If so, was his addition to the cast a way to sell tickets?
shareI don't know. Don't recall seeing him in anything else though.
sharehe was cast because much pressure was put on gorge lucas to cast black person because star wars 1977 did not have single black man onscreen. lando role probably written for white actors but change so satisfy politic.
shareYes, watch "Mahogony."
shareHe was in TV commercials for Colt45 malt liquor. "It works every time."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b25NOUx12ks
Yes. He was already famous for "Brian's Song" 1971 and "Mahogany" 1975 before "Star Wars".
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