“Star Wars” actor Billy Dee Williams said he sees no reason why actors can’t wear blackface and said they should be able to do “anything” they thought was necessary for any given role.
During the 87-year-old actor’s recent appearance on the “Club Random with Bill Maher” podcast, the two were discussing how times have changed after Williams praised Laurence Olivier’s performance in the 1965 movie “Othello” — in which the star wore blackface, the Hollywood Reporter reported.
“When he did ‘Othello,’ I fell out laughing,” Williams said. “He stuck his a** out and walked around … because Black people are supposed to have big a**es. I thought it was hysterical. I loved it.”
Maher replied, “I agree. But today, they would never let you do that.”
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Williams asked, “Why?” and Maher replied, “Blackface?”
“Why not? You should do it,” Williams added. “If you’re an actor, you should do anything you want to do.”
When the …