Billy Dee Williams ( born April 6 , 1937 ) is an African American actor , artist , and writer . He 's famous for playing Lando Calrissian on Star Wars . Billy Dee Williams ( born William December Williams , Jr. ; April 6 , 1937 ) is an American actor , artist , singer , and writer , best known for his role as Lando Calrissian in the original Star Wars trilogy .