Exploring the Controversy: Perspectives on Actors and Blackface

Actor Billy Dee Williams recently shared his opinion on performers wearing blackface, stating that as an actor, you should be able to do whatever you want. In a podcast interview with Bill Maher on "Club Random," Williams, who is 87 years old, brought up the topic while discussing Laurence Olivier's portrayal of the Black character in the movie "Othello" back in 1965.

Although Olivier wore blackface, Williams said he thought it was a “really interesting” performance.

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"He made me laugh so hard when he performed Othello," he shared. "He exaggerated his movements, sticking his butt out and emphasizing stereotypes about Black people having big butts. It was so funny to me, I really enjoyed it."

The practice of blackface has its roots in the minstrel shows that were popular in the mid-19th century.

White performers used shoe polish and cork to darken their skin, wore worn-out clothes, and exaggerated their features to mimic stereotypical "Black" characteristics.

The early minstrel shows portrayed enslaved Africans on Southern plantations, perpetuating harmful stereotypes by depicting Black individuals as lazy, ignorant, cowardly, or overly sexualized, as noted by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC).

The performances were intended to be funny to White audiences. But to the Black community, they were demeaning and hurtful.

Maher then said that Olivier wouldn’t be cast in the role now.

“Here’s the thing: today, they would never let you do that,” he said.

Williams then asked why, to which Maher responded: “Blackface?”

Williams insisted: “Why not? You should do it.”

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"If you're an actor, you should do whatever you want," he mentioned. "As an actor, if you believe you can do something, you should be able to do it," he added.

Maher then highlighted that Williams "lived in a time when it was not possible to do that, when you were restricted from playing the roles you deserved," referring to the segregation in the US.

Williams, famous for his role as Lando Calrissian in the “Star Wars” movies, disagreed with this idea.

He expressed, “But that’s not important. It happened, yes, but what matters is how you handle it. The key is not to let it make you feel like a victim as you go through life."

I don't want to go around being angry all the time. I refuse to let anger consume me constantly.

Williams also expressed his wish to be acknowledged as a unique person in a different part of the interview.

He expressed his desire to be creative as an individualist, not restricted by societal labels like race. "I'm an artist. I'm a creative entity in this life," he said.

In 2019, Williams discussed his use of gender-fluid pronouns as a way to embrace the different parts of his character.

In an interview with Esquire magazine, he mentioned, "I see myself as both feminine and masculine. I'm a very soft person and I'm not afraid to show that side of myself."

Editor's P/S:

Billy Dee Williams' comments on blackface raise complex and sensitive issues. While it is understandable to appreciate the artistic qualities of a performance,