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Iconic Hollywood actor Billy Dee Williams joins Bill Maher Club Random with Bill Maher Podcast to discuss a variety of topics.
During the conversation, the issue of actors wearing 'black mouth' came to light.
Williams shared that he refuses to make a big deal out of it because he “doesn't want to go through life feeling like 'I'm a victim'.”
Williams discussed his personal relationship with famed actor Laurence Olivier and their conversations about Olivier and the 1965 film adaptation of Shakespeare's play. Othello.
He recalled, “I remember I said, 'Have you ever thought about playing Othello?' And he said, 'No. Yes, I thought about playing Othello, but I always look – do you remember (Old Man River Singer) Paul Robeson?”
“When he finally did it, he did it with blackface. He wanted to do this but he always had this dream Othello) With the stature and voice of Robson (a black man). So finally, when they did that, they filmed – I don't know if you've ever seen the performance, if you ever get the chance, it's really interesting.
He added, “He did something that was considered a little disrespectful.” “Olivier was more physical. She was criticized a lot for her physical behavior and for doing some outrageous things with her voice. But when he did Othello I burst out laughing. He stuck his ass out and walked around with his ass exposed – because black people are supposed to have bigger asses. I fell down laughing. I thought it was crazy. I loved it. I loved it. I like that kind of stuff. Yes. Who doesn't?!”
A surprised Maher challenged, “I agree, OK, but the thing is: Today, I mean, they would never let you do that.
“why why not?” Williams replied. “I mean, (actor Paul Muni) and I used to talk about it all the time. Muni was the first person I worked with in those years who told me, 'As an actor, you have to be able to do – whatever you think you can do, you have to be able to do that. It should be.”
Maher responded, “But again, not to bring up your Achilles heel, but you were really in a period where you couldn't play the role you were supposed to play.”
“But it didn't matter,” Williams said.
“And that's a nice attitude, but it still happened,” Maher pushed back.
“Of course it happened!” Williams replied, “But the fact that you discuss it, that anyone can talk about it, means it was happening. But the point is that you should not go through life feeling that 'I am suffering'.
He concluded, “I mean, I refuse to go through life saying to the world, 'I'm angry.' I'm not going to be bothered 24 hours a day.”
Watch:
(Time Stamp: 54:52)