Billy Dee Williams Recounts Being Hit On By Marlon Brando In New Memoir: ‘I Prefer Women’

Billy Dee Williams, renowned for his role in The Empire Strikes Back, has opened up about a flirtatious encounter he allegedly had with Marlon Brando in his upcoming memoir titled What Have We Here?

The memoir sheds light on a party that Williams attended at Brando’s residence, accompanied by his friend James Baldwin. Williams recounts a conversation that took place between him and Brando in the library, where he sensed Brando’s romantic interest.

Williams clarified, “I prefer women.”

According to Williams, the conversation with Brando eventually shifted towards leftist politics, which provided a deeper understanding of Brando’s talents as an actor. Williams acknowledges that this experience was not the first time he has received romantic attention, and explained that he has been hit on throughout his life, regardless of the individual’s gender or sexual orientation.

“I’ve been getting hit on all my life…Gay, straight, whatever, somebody’s always hitting on me.”

Williams continued, “I had no qualms with that kind of stuff. Whatever you are, that’s who you are. I’m more interested in meeting interesting people,” but also that he’s “not into guys.” He clarified, “I’ve spent a lot of my life around gay people… James Baldwin, who was gay, was my dearest friend.”

Williams expressed acceptance of people’s preferences and remarked that he is more focused on meeting interesting individuals, but reiterated that he is not attracted to men.

There has long been speculation about Williams’ own sexual orientation, fueled by his previous statements about embracing femininity. In 2019, he spoke to Esquire, “I say ‘himself’ and ‘herself,’ because I also see myself as feminine as well as masculine. I’m a very soft person. I’m not afraid to show that side of myself.”

This fueled theories that the actor might identify as queer.

He later clarified to CBS News, “I was talking about men getting in touch with the female side of themselves…No, no, no, I’m not gay — by any stretch of the imagination. Not that I have anything against gay people. But personally? Not gay.”

What Have We Here? is on sale now.